■•^i^- 

-^f 


:  *& 


LIBRARY 

OF  TUE 

Theological   Seminary, 

PRINCETON,    N.  J. 
f^'"'^' '^^y'p:^,,,^^o    

s/ieif,    /oy  ^--     ' 

Booh, Ko- 


A  •••1 


CA. 


J?sM.    ,'^/^.   ^^7— •    '/^*- 


PROOFS 


OF    A 


CONSPIRACY 

AGAINST  ALL  THE 

RELIGIONS   AND    GOVERNMENTS 

OF 
« 

EUROPE, 

CARRIED    ON 

IN    THE    SECRET    MEETINGS 

OF 

FREE  MASONS,   ILLUMINATI, 

AND 

READING  SOCIETIES. 

COLLECTED  FRQJ»I  GOOD  AUTHORITIES, 

By^J  O  H  N   R  O  B  I  S  O  N,    A.  M.' 

PROFESSOR  OF    NATURAL  PHILOSOPHY,    AND   SECRETARY   TO   THE 
ROYAL  SOCIETY   OF   EDINBURGH. 

Nam  tua  res  agitur  paries  cum  proximus  ardet. 
The  THIRD  EDITION. 
To  which  is  added  a  Postscript. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

PRINTED    FOR    T.    DOBSON,    N°.    4I,    SOUTH    SECOND 
STREET,    AND    W.     COEEET,    N°.    25,    NORTH 
SECOND      STREET. 
1798, 


TO  THE  RIGHT  HONOURABLE 

W  I  L  L  I  A  M    W  Y  N  D  II  A  M, 

SECRETARY  AT  WAR,  &c.  &c.  &c. 

S    IRy 

■  It  was  ivith  great  Jat'isfacllon  that  I  learned  from  a 
Friend  that  you  coincided  with  me  in  the  opinion y  that  the 
information  contained  in  this  Performahce  would  make  a 
ufefidimprejptn  on  the  minds  of  my  Countrymen. 

I  have  prefumed  to  irifcrihe  it  with  your  Name^  that  I 
may  puUicly  exprefs  the  pleafure  which  I  felt  ^  when  I  found 
that  neither  a  feparation  for  thirty  years,  nor  the  prejjure  of 
the  moft  important  bufinefsy  had  effaced  your  kind  remem- 
brance of  a  College  Acquaintance,  or  abated  that  obliging 
and  polite  attention  with  which  you  favoured  me  in  thcfe 
early  days  of  life. 

The  fiendfjip  of  the  accG7nplifoed  and  the  worthy  is  the 
highefl  honour  ;  and  to  him  who  is  cut  off,  by  want  of  healthy 
from  alnioji  every  other  enjoyment y  it  is  an  inefiimable  blef- 
fing.  Accept,  therefore,  I  pray,  of  my  grateful  acknow- 
ledgments, and  of  my  earnefi  wijhes  for  your  Health,  PrcJ- 
perity,  and  increafing  Honour. 

IVithfentiments  of  the  greateji  Eft  eon  and  Refpeol, 

I  am,  SIR, 

Tour  moft  obedient, 
and  mcfi  humble  Servant, 

JOHN  ROBISON. 

EuiNEURCH, 

September  5 »    1797. 


^^UOD  fi  qiiis  vera  vitam  ratioyie  guhernet, 

DiviticC  grandes  hominijunt^  vivere  parce 

JEquo  animo :  neque  enim  eft  unquam  penuria  parvi* 

At  claros  fe  homines  valuer iint  atque  potenteSy 

Ut  fundament 0  ftahilifortuna  maneret, 

Et  placidam  poffent  opulent i  degere  vitam : 

Nequiequa?n, — quoniam  adjummumjuccedere  honorem 

Certantes,  iter  infeftum  fecere  vidi, 

Et  tamen  ejummo  quafi  fulmen  dejicit  i5ios 

Invidia  inter dum  contemptim  in  Tartara  tetra. 

Ergo  J  Regibus  cccifiSj  Jubverja  jacehat 
Priftina  majeftasjoliorumy  etjceptrajiiperba  ; 
Et  capitis  Jummi  pr^edarum  infigne,  cruentunty 
Sub  pedibus  volgi  magnum  lugebat  honorum  : 
Nam  cupide  conculcatur  nimis  ante  metutum. 
Res  itaque  ad/umma-m  facem,  turbajque  redibaty 
Imperiumjibi  cum  acjummatum  qui/que  petebat. 

Lucretius,  V.   1116. 


INTRODUCTION. 


JjEING  at  a  friend's  houfe  in  the   country  during 
Ibme  part  of  the  fummer  1795,  I  there  faw  a  volume 
of  a  German  periodical  work,  csdlcd  Religions  Begeben- 
heiten,  i.  e.  Religious   Occurrences :    in  which   there 
was  an  account  of  the  various  fchifms  in  the  Fraternity 
of  Free  Mafons,  with  frequent  allufions  to  the  origin 
and  hiftory  of  that  celebrated  affociation.     This  ac- 
count   interefted   me  a  good  deal,     becaufe,    in    my 
early  life,   I  had  taken  fome  part  in  the   occupations 
(fliall  I   call   them)   of  Free  Mafonry;  and,  having 
chiefly  frequented  the  Lodges  on  the  Continent,  I  had 
learned  many  do6lrines,  and   {^tn   many  ceremonials 
which  have  no  place  in  the  fmiple  fyflem  of  Free  Ma- 
fonry which  obtains   in  this  country.     I  had  alfo  re- 
marked, that  the  whole  was  much  more  the  objed  of 
refleftion  and  thought  than   I   could    remtrmbcr  it  to 
have  been  among  my  acquaintances  at  home.     Therr, 
I  had  feen  a  Mafon  Lodge  confidered  merely  as  a  pre- 
text for  pafling  an  hour  or  two  in  a  fort  of  decent  con- 
viviality, not  altogether  void  of  fonie  rational  occupa- 
tion.    I   had  fometiraes    heard   of  differences  of  doc- 
trines or  of  ceremonies,  but  in  terms  whtch  siar.ked 
them  as  mere  frivolities.     But,  on  the   Continent,    I 
found  them  matters  of  ferious   concern   and  debate. 
,  Such 


6  INTRODUCTION. 

Such  too  is  the  contagion  of  example,  that  1  could  not 
hinder  myfclf  from  thinking  one  opinion  better  found- 
ed, or  one  Ritual  more  appofice  and  fignificant  than 
another;  and  I  even  felt  fomething  like  an  anxiety  for 
its  being  adopted,  and  a  zeal  for  making  it  a  general 
praftice.  I  had  been  initiated  in  a  very  fpiendid  Lodge 
at  Liege,  of  which  the  Prince  Bilhop,  his  Trefonciers, 
and  the  chief  Noblelle  of  the  State  were  members.  I 
vifited  the  French  Lodges  at  Valenciennes,  at  Brullcls, 
at  Aix-la-Chapelie,  at  Berlin,  and  Koningfberg  ;  and 
J  picked  up  fome  printed  difcourfcs  delivered  by  the 
Brother-orators  of  the  Ledges.  At  St.  Peteriburgh  1 
conncdled  myfelf  with  the  Englifii  Lodge,  and  occa- 
fionally  vifited  the  German  and  Ruffian  Lodges  held 
there.  I  found  myfelf  received  with  particular  refpedt 
as  a  Scotch  Mafon,  and  as  an  Eleve  of  tht: Locige  de  la 
Parfait  Intelligence  at  Liege.  I  was  importuned  by 
perfons  of  the  firft  rank  to  purfue  my  mafonic  career 
through  many  degrees  unknown  in  this  country.  But 
all  the  fplendor  and  elegance  that  I  faw  could  not  con- 
ceal a  frivolity  in  every  part.  It  appeared  a  bafelefs 
fabric,  and  I  could  not  think  of  engaging  in  an  occu- 
pation which  would  confume  much  time,  coft  me  a 
good  deal  of  money,  and  might  perhaps  excite  in  me 
fome  of  that  fanaticifm,  or  at  leaP-,  enthufiafm,  that  I 
faw  in  others,  and  perceived  to  be  void  of  any  rational 
fupport.  I  therefore  remained  in  the  Engliili  Lodge, 
contented  with  the  rank  of  Scotch  Mailer,  which  was 
in  a  manner  forced  on  me  in  a  private  Lodge  of  French 
Mafons,  but  is  not  given  in  the  Englifii  Lodge.  My 
mafonic  rank  admitted  me  to  a  very  elegant  entertain- 
ment in  the  female  Lege  del  a  FideliiCy  where  every  ce- 
remonial was  compofed  in  the  higheft  degree  of  ele- 
gance, and  every  thing  condui^led  with  the  mofb  deli- 
cate refpt«Sl  for  our  fair  fifters,  and  the  old  fong  of  bro- 
tlierly  love  was    chanted  in  the  moft  refined  ftrain  of 

fentimcnt. 


INTRODUCTION.  7 

fentiment.  I  do  not  fuppofe  that  the  Parifian  Free  Ma- 
fonrv  of  forty -five  degrees  could  s;ive  me  more  enter- 
tainment.  I  had  profited  fo  much  by  it,  that  I  had 
the  honour  of  being  appointed  the  Brother-orator.  In 
this  office  1  gave  fuch  l"atisfa6lion,  that  a  worthy  Bro- 
ther fent  me  at  midnight  a  box,  which  he  committed 
to  my  care,  as  a  perfon  far  advanced  in  mafonic  fcience, 
zealoufly  attached  to  the  order,  and  therefore  a  fit  de- 
pofitory  of  important  writings.  I  learned  next  day 
that  this  gentleman  had  found  it  convenient  to  leave  the 
empire  in  a  hurry,  but  taking  with  him  the  funds  of  an 
eftablifhment  of  which  her  Imperial  MajeRy  had  made 
him  the  manager.  I  wasdefiredto  keep  thefc  writings  till 
he  fhould  fee  me  again,  I  obeyed.  About  ten  years 
afterward  I  faw  the  gentleman  on  the  ftreet  in  Edin- 
burgh, converfing  with  a  foreigner.  As  1  palTed  by 
him,  I  faluted  him  foftly  in  the  Ruffian  language  ;  but 
without  flopping,  or  looking  him  directly  in  the  face. 
He  coloured,  but  made  no  return.  I  endeavoured,  in 
vain,  to  meet  with  him,  wiffiing  to  make  a  proper  re- 
turn for  much  civility  and  kindnefs  which  I  had  receiv- 
ed from  him  in  his  own  country. 

I  now  confidered  the  box  as  acceffible  to  mvfelf,  and 
opened  it.  I  found  it  to  contain  all  the  degrees  of  the 
Par/ait  Ma^cn  Eccjfois,  with  the  Rituals,  Catechifms, 
and  Inflruftions,  and  alfo  four  other  degrees  of  Free 
Mafonry,  as  cultivated  in  the  Parifian  Lodges.  I  have 
kept  them  with  all  care,  and  mean  to  give  them  tofome 
refpedable  Lodge.  But  as  I  am  bound  by  no  engage- 
ment of  any  kind,  I  hold  myfelf  at  liberty  to  make 
fuch  ufe  of  them  as  may  be  ferviceable  to  the  public, 
without  enabling  any  uninitiated  perfon  to  enter  the 
Lodges  of  thefe  degrees. 

This  acquifition  might  have  roufed  my  former  relifli 
for  mafonry,  had  it  been  merely  dormant;  but,  after  fo 
long  feparation  from  the  Lodge  del  a  Fiddite^  the  mafo- 
nic 


8  INTRODUCTION. 

nic  fpirit  had  evaporated.  Some  ciirlofity  however  re- 
mained, and  fome  wi(h  to  trace  this  plaftic  myftcry  to 
the  pit  fiom  which  the  clay  had  been  dug,  which  has 
been  moulded  into  Co  many  different  fhapes,  '<  fome  to 
"  honour,  and  fome  to  difhonour."  But  my  opportu- 
nities were  now  gone.  1  have  given  away  (when  in 
Ruffia)  my  volumes  of  difcourfes,  and  fome  far-fetched 
and  gratuitous  hiftories,  and  nothing  remained  but  the 
pitiful  work  of  Andcrfon,  and  the  Magonnerie  Jdonhi- 
ramique  drccilee^  which  are  in  every  one's  hands. 

My  curiofity  was  ftrongly  roufed  by  the  accounts 
given  in  the  Religivns  Begebenheiten.  There  I  faw  quo- 
tations without  number  i  fyftems  and  fchifms  of  which 
I  had  never  heard  ;  but  what  particularly  ftruck  me 
wa>  a  zeal  and  a  fanaticifm  about  what  I  thought  trifles, 
which  aftoniflied  me.  Men  of  rank  and  fortune,  and 
enframed  in  fcrious  and  honourable  public  employments, 
not  only  frequenting  the  Lodges  of  the  cities  where 
they  reiided,  but  journeying  from  one  end  of  Germany 
or  France  to  the  other,  to  vifit  new  Lodges,  or  to  learn 
new  fecrets  or  new  doctrines.  I  faw  conventions  held 
at  Wifimar,  at  Wifbad,  at  Kohlo,  at  Brunfwick,  and  at 
Willemibad,  confiding  of  fome  hundreds  of  perfons  of 
rcfpeclable  ftations.  I  faw  adventurers  coming  to  a 
city,  profeffing  fome  new  fecret,  and  in  a  few  days 
forming  new  Lodges,  and  inftrudling  in  a  troublefome 
and  expcnfive  manner  hundreds  of  brethren. 

German  Malbnry  appeared  a  very  ferious  concern, 
and  to  be  implicated  with  other  fubjefbs  with  which  I 
had  never  fufpefted  it  to  have  any  connection.  I  faw 
it  much  conneded  with  many  occurrences  and  fchifms 
in  the  Chriftian  church  ;  I  faw  that  the  Jefuits  had 
fcveral  times  interfered  in  it ;  and  that  moft  of  the  ex- 
ceptionable innovations  and  diffentions  had  arifen  about 
the  time  that  the  order  of  Loyola  was  fuppreffed  ;  fo 
that  it  fnould  fcem,  thatthefc  intriguing  brethren  had 

attempted 


INTRODUCTION.  g 

attempted  to  maintain  their  influence  by  the  help  of 
Free  Mafonry.  Ifaw  it  much  difturbed  by  the  myftical 
whims  of  J.  Behmen  and  Swcdenborg — by  the  fanatical 
and  knavifh  doctrines  of  the  modern  Rofycrucians — by 
Magicians — Magnetifers — Exorcifts,  &c.  And  I  ob- 
ferved  that  thefe  different  fcfts  reprobated  each  other, 
asnotonlymaintainingerroneous  opinions,  but  even  in- 
culcating opinions  which  were  contrary  to  the  eftabli/h- 
ed  religions  of  Germany,  and  contrary  to  the  princi- 
ples of  the  civil  eflablifhrnents.  At  the  fame  time 
they  charged  each  other  with  miflakes  and  corruptions, 
both  in  do6lrine  and  in  pradlice  ;  and  particularly  with 
falfification  of  the  firll  principles  of  Free  Mafonry, 
and  with  ignorance  of  its  origin  and  its  hiftory  ^  and 
they  fupported  thefe  charges  by  authorities  from  many 
different  books  which  were  unknown  to  me. 

My  curiofity  was  now  greatly  excited.  I  got  from 
a  much  refpefted  friend  many  of  the  preceding  vo- 
lumes of  the  Religions  Begebenheiten^  in  hopes  of  much 
information  from  the  patient  induftry  of  German  eru- 
dition. This  opened  a  new  and  very  interefling 
fcene  -,  I  was  frequently  fent  back  to  England,  from 
whence  all  agreed  that  Free  Mafonry  had  been  im- 
ported into  Germ,any.  I  was  frequently  led  into 
France  and  into  Italy.  There,  and  more  remarkably 
in  France,  I  found  that  the  Lodges  had  become  the 
haunts  of  many  projeftors  and  fanatics,  both  in  fci- 
ence,  in  religion,  and  in  politics,  who  had  availed 
themfelves  of  the  fecrecy  and  the  freedom  of  fpeech 
maintained  in  thefe  meetings,  to  broach  their  parti- 
cular whims  or  fufpicious  doctrines,  which,  if  publifh- 
ed  to  the  world  in  the  iifual  manner,  v/ould  have 
expofed  the  authors  to  ridicule  or  to  cenfure.  Thefe 
projectors  had  contrived  to  tag  their  peculiar  no- 
llrums  to  the  mummery  of  Mafonry,  and  v/ere  even 
allowed  to  twlfl  the  mafonic  emblems  and  ceremonies 

B  to 


-  « 


10  INTRODUCTION. 

to  their  purpoTe  -,  lb  that  in  their  hands  Free  Mafonry 
became  a  thing  totally  unlike,  and  alrnotl  in  dired: 
oppolition  to  the  lyltcm  (if  it  may  get  liich  a  name) 
imported  from  England ;  and  fome  Lodges  had  be- 
come fchools  of  irreligion  and  licentioulhcfs. 

No  nation  in  modern  times  has  fo  particularly 
turned  its  attention  to  the  cultivation  of  every  thing 
that  is  refined  or  ornamental  as  France,  and  it  has 
Ions:  been  the  refort  of  all  who  hunt  after  entertain- 
ment  in  its  moil  refined  form  ;  the  French  have  come 
to  confider  thcmfelves  as  the  inllruiftors  of  the  world 
in  every  thing  that  ornaments  life,  and  feeling  thcm- 
felvcs  received  as  fuch,  they  have  formed  their  man- 
ners accordingly — full  of  the  moil  condefcending  com- 
plaifance  to  all  who  acknowledge  their  fuperiority.  De- 
li e;hted,  in  a  high 'degree,  with  this  office,  they  have 
become  ze.dous  miflionaries  of  refinement  in  every  de- 
partment of  human  purfuit,  and  have  reduced  their 
apoftoiic  employment  to  a  fyftem,  which  they  profe- 
cute  vvith  ardour  and  delight.  This  is  not  groundlefs 
declamation,  but  fober  hilloiical  truth.  It  was  the 
profefled  aim  (and  it  was  a  magnificent  and  wife  aim) 
of  the  great  Colbert,  to  make  the  court  of  I.ouis  XIV. 
the  fountain  of  human  refinement,  and  Paris  the  Athens 
of  Europe.  We  need  only  look,  in  the  prefcnt  day, 
at  the  plunder  of  Italy  by  the  French  army,  to  be 
convinced  that  their  low- born  generals  and  ftatefmen 
have  in  tliis  rcipeft  the  fame  notionswith  the  Colberts 
and  tlie  Richlieus. 

I  know  no  fubjeft  in  which  this  aiin  at  univerfal  in- 
fluence on  the  opinions  of  men,  by  holding  themfelves 
forth  as  the  models  of  excellence  and  elegance,  is  more 
clearly  feen  than  in  the  care  that  they  have  been  pleafed 
to  take  of  Free  Mafonry.  It  feems  indeed  peculiarly 
luited  to  the  talents  and  tafle  of  that  vain  and  ardent 
people.      Bafelefs  and  frivolous,   it  admits  of  every 

form 


INTRODUCTION.  II 

form  that  Gallic  refinement  can  invent,  to  recommend 
it  to  the  younp;,  the  gay,  the  luxurious  i  that  clals  of 
fociety  which  alone  defcrves  their  care,  becaufe,  in 
one  way  or  another,  it  leads  all  other  clafics  of  Ibciecy. 

It  has  accordingly  happened,  that  the  homely  Free 
Mafonry  imported  from  England  has  been  totally 
changed  in  every  country  of  Europe  either  by  the  im- 
pofing  afcendency  of  Frcnoli  brethren,  who  are  to  be 
found  every  where,  ready  to  infi:ru6l  the  world ;  or  by 
the  importation  of  the  do6lrines,  and  ceremonies,  and 
ornaments  of  the  Parifian  Lodges.  Even  England, 
the  birth-place  of  Mafonry,  has  experienced  the  French 
innovations;  and  all  the  repeated  injunctions,  admo- 
nitions, and  reproofs  of  the  old  Lodges,  cannot  pre- 
vent thofe  in  different  parts  of  the  kingdom  from  ad- 
mitting the  French  novelties,  full  of  tinfcl  and  glitter, 
and  high-founding  titles. 

Were  this  all,  the  harm  would  not  be  great.  But 
long  before  good  opportunities  had  occurred  for  fpread- 
ing  the  refinements  on  the  fimple  Free  Mafonry  of 
England,  the  Lodges  in  France  had  become  places  of 
very  ferious  difcuflion,  where  opinions  in  morals,  in 
religion,  and  in  politics,  had  been  promulgated  and 
maintained  with  a  freedom  and  a  keennefs,  of  which 
we  in  this  favoured  land  have  no  adequate  notion,  be- 
caufe  we  are  unacquainted  with  the  reftraints  which, 
in  other  countries,  are  laid  on  ordinary  converfation. 
In  confequence  of  this,  the  French  innovations  in 
Free  Mafonry  were  quickly  follov/ed  in  all  parts  of 
Europe,  by  the  admiffion  of  fimilar  difcuffions,  al- 
though in  direct  oppoficion  to  a  (landing  rule,  and  a 
declaration  made  to  everv  newly  received  Brother, 
"  that  nothing  touching  the  religion  or  governraenc 
"  fhall  ever  be  fpoken  of  in  the  Lodge."  But  the 
Lodges  in  other  countries  followed  the  example  of 
France,  and  have  frequently  become  the  rcndezvo  -s 


12  INTRODUCTION. 

of  innovators  in  religion  and  politics,  and  other  dif- 
turbcrs  of  the  public  peace,  in  fhort^  I  have  found 
that  the  covert  of  a  Mafon  Lodge  had  been  employ;ed 
in  every  country  for  venting  and  propagating  fenti- 
ments  in  religion  and  politics,  that  could  not  have  cir- 
culated in  public  without  expofing  the  author  to  great 
danger.  I  found,  that  this  impunity  had  gradually 
encouraged  men  of  licentious  principles  to  become 
more  bold,  and  to  teach  doftrines  fubverfive  of  all 
our  notions  of  morality — of  all  our  confidence  in  the 
moral  government  of  the  univerie — of  all  our  hopes 
of  improvement  in  a  future  (late  of  exiftence — and  of 
all  fatisfaftion  and  contentment  with  our  prefent  life, 
fo  long  as  we  live  in  a  ftate  of  civil  fubordination.  I 
have  been  able  to  trace  thcfe  attempts,  made,  through 
a  courfe  of  fifty  years,  under  the  fpecious  pretext  of 
enlightening  tiie  world  by  the  torch  of  philoibphy,  and 
of  difpclling  the  clouds  of  civil- and  religious  fuperfli- 
tion  wliich  keep  the  nations  of  Europe  in  darknefs  and 
flavery.  I  have  obferved  thefe  dodlrines  gradually 
difFufing  and  mixing  with  all  the  different  fyftems  of 
Free  Mafonry ;  till,  at  laft,  an  Association  has 
BEEN  FORMED  for  the  cxprcfs  purpofe  of  rooting  out 

ALL     THE    RELIGIOUS    ESTABLISHMENTS,    AND  OVER- 
TURNING    ALL     THE     EXISTING      GOVERNMENTS     OF 

Europe.  I  have  ken  this  AfTociation  exerting  itfelf" 
zealoufly  and  fyftematically,  till  it  has  become  almoft 
irrcfiftible  :  And  I  have  ieen  that  the  moft  aftive  lead- 
ers in  the  French  Revolution  were  members  of  this 
AfTociation,  and  conduced  their  firft  movements  ac- 
cording to  its  principles,  and  by  means  of  its  inftruc- 
tions  and  afTiflance,  formally  requefted  and  obtained: 
And,  laltly,  I  have  feen  that  this  AfTociation  flill  ex- 
ifts,  flill  works  in  fecret,  and  that  not  only  feveral 
appearances  among  ourfelves  fhow  that  its  emifTaries 
are  endeavouring  to  propagate  their  deteftable  doc- 
trines 


INTRODUCTION.  IJ 

trines  among  us,  but  that  the  AfTocIation  has  Lodges 
in  Britain  correfponding  with  the  mother  Lodge  at 
Munich  ever  fince  1784. 

Jf  all  this  were  a  matter  of  mere  curiofity,  and  fuf- 
ceptible  of  no  good  ufe,  it  would  have  been  better  to 
have  kept  it  to  myfelf,  than  to  difturb  my  neighbours 
with  the  knowledge  of  a  ftate  ot  things  which  they 
cannot  amend.  But  if  it  (hall  appear  that  the  minds 
of  my  countrymen  are  mificd  in  the  very  fame  manner 
as  were  thofc  of  our  continental  neighbours — if  I  can 
fliow  that  the  reafonings  which  make  a  very  ftrong  im- 
preflion  on  fome  perfons  in  this  country  are  the  fame 
which  adlually  produced  the  dangerous  afTociation  in 
Germany;  and  that  they  had  this  unhappy  influence 
folely  becaufe  they  were  thought  to  be  fincere,  and 
the  expreilions  of  the  fentiments  of  the  fpcakers — if  I 
can  fhovv  that  this  was  all  a  cheat,  and  that  the  Lead- 
ers of  this  AfTociation  difoelieved  every  word  i\i2X.  they 
uttered,  and  every  doftrine  that  they  taught;  and  that 
their  real  intention  was  to  abolifh  all  religion,  overturn 
every  government,  and  make  the  world  a  general 
plunder  and  a  wreck — if  I  can  fnow,  that  the  princi- 
ples which  the  Founder  and  Leaders  of  this  AfTociation 
held  forth  as  the  perfeftion  of  human  virtue,  and  the 
mofl  powerful  and  eflicacious  for  forming  the  minds  of 
men,  and  making  them  good  and  happy,  had  no  in- 
fluence on  the  Founder  and  Leaders  themfelves,  and 
that  they  were,  almoft  without  exception,  the  mofl  in- 
fignificant,  worthlefs,  and  profligate  of  men;  I  cannot 
but  think,  that  fuch  information  will  make  my  coun- 
trymen hefitate  a  little,  and  receive  with  caution,  and 
even  dift:rufl,  addrelTes  and  inftru6lions  which  flatter 
our  felf-conceit,  and  which,  by  buoying  us  up  with 
the  gay  profpedl  of  wh;u.  iVcms  attainable  by  a  change, 
may  make  us  difcontentvd  v.'ith  our  prefent  condition, 
and  forget  that  there  never  was  a  government  on  earth 

where 


14  INTRODUCTION. 

where  the  people  of  a  great  and  Iiixuiious  nation  en- 
joyed io  much  freedom  and  feeurity  in  the  pofTcfTion 
of  every  thing  that  is  dear  and  valuable. 

When  we  fee  that  thefe  boalled  principles  had  not 
that  effc6l  on  the  Leaders  which  they  alfcrt  to  be  their 
native,  certain,  and  inevitable  confequences,  we  fliall 
diftrufl:  the  Hne  defcriptions  of  the  happincfs  that 
fhould  refuk  fr-om  fuch  a  chan2:e.  And  vvhen  we  fee 
that  the  methods  which  were  praflifed  by  this  Affoci- 
ation  for  the  exprcfs  purpofc  of  breaking  all  the  bands 
of  fociety,  were  employed  folely  in  order  that  the 
Leaders  might  rule  the  world  with  uncontroulable 
power,  while  all  the  reft,  even  of  the  affociated,  Ihould 
be  degraded  in  their  own  eftimation,  corrupted  in  their 
principles,  and  employed  as  mere  tools  of  the  ambition 
of  their  unknown  fuperiors ;  furely  a  free-born  Briton 
will  not  hefitate  to  rejcft  at  once,  and  without  any  far- 
ther examination,  a  plan  fo  big  with  mifchief,  fo  dif- 
graceful  to  its  underling  adherents,  and  fo  uncertain  in 
its  iflue. 

Thefe  hopes  have  induced  me  to  lay  before  the 
public  a  fliort  abftraft  of  the  information  which  I  think 
I  have  received.  It  will  be  fhort,  but  I  hope  fuflicient 
for  eftablifliing  the  fad,  that  this  deteftahie  Affociation 
exijls,  and  its  emijj'arics  are  hujy  among  ourjehes. 

I  was  not  contented  with  the  quotations  which  I 
found  in  the  Religions  Begebenheiten,  but  procured 
from  abroad  fome  of  the  chief  writings  from  which 
they  are  taken.  This  both  gave  me  confidence  in  the 
quotations  from  books  which  I  could  not  procure,  and 
furnifhed  me  with  more  materials.  Much,  however, 
remains  untold,  richly  deferving  the  attention  of  all 
thofe  who/t'^/ themfclves  difpofed  to  lillen  to  the  tales 
of  a  polTible  happinefs  that  may  be  enjoyed  in  a  fociety 
where  all  the  magiftrates  are  wife  and  juft,  and  all  the 
people  are-  honed  and  kind. 

I  hope 


IMTRODUCTION.  15 

I  hope  that  I  am  honeft  and  candid.  I  have  been 
at  all  pains  to  give  the  true  fcnfe  of  the  authors.  My 
knowledge  of  the  German  language  is  but  fcanty,  but 
I  have  had  the  affiltance  of  friends  whenever  I  was  in 
doubt.  In  compreffing  into  one  paragraph  what  I 
have  colieded  from  many,  I  have,  as  much  as  I  was 
able,  ftuck  to  the  words  of  the  author,  and  have  been 
anxious  to  give  his  precife  meaning.  I  doubt  not  but 
that  I  have  fometimes  failed,  and  vvill  receive  correc- 
tion with  deference.  I  entreat  the  reader  not  to  expedt 
a  piece  of  good  literary  compofition.  I  am  very  {cn- 
fible  that  it  is  far  from  it — it  is  written  during  bad 
heakh,  when  I  am  not  at  eafe — and  I  wifh  to  conceal 
my  name — but  my  motive  is,  without  the  fmaileft 
mixture  of  another,  to  do  fome  good  in  the  only  way 
I  am  able,  and  I  think  that  what  I  fay  will  com^e  with 
better  grace,  and  be  received  vv'ith  more  confidence, 
than  any  anonymous  publication.  Of  thefe  I  am  now 
mofl:  heartily  fick.  I  throw  myfeif  on  my  country  with 
a  free  heart,  and  I  bow  with  deference  to  its  decifion. 

The  afibciation  of  which  I  have  been  fpeaking  is  the 
Order  of  Illuminati,  founded,  in  1775,  by  Dr. 
Adam  Weilliaupt,  profeiTor  of  Canon  law  in  the  uni- 
vcrfity  of  Ingolftadt,  and  abolifhed  in  1786  by  the 
Elector  of  Bavaria,  but  revived  immediately  after,  un- 
der another  name,  and  in  a  different  form,  all  over 
Germany.  It  was  again  detected,  and  feemingiy  bro- 
ken up  ;  but  it  had  by  this  time  taken  fo  deep  root 
that  it  flill  fubfifts  without  being  detefted,  and  has 
fpread  into  all  the  countries  of  Europe.  It  took  its 
firll  rife  among  the  Free  Mafons,  but  is  totally  dif- 
ferent from  Free  Mafonry.  It  was  not,  however,  the 
mere  proteftion  gained  by  the  fecrecy  of  the  Lodges 
that  gave  occafion  to  it,  but  it  arofe  naturally  from 
the  corruptions  that  had  g:  adually  crept  into  that  fra- 
ternity, the  violence  of  the  party  fpirit  which  pervaded 

it. 


l6  INTRODUCTION. 

ir,  and  from  the  total  uncertainty  and  darknefs  tliat 
hangs  over  the  whole  of  that  myfterious  Affociation. 
It  is  neceflary,  therefore,  to  give  fome  account  of  the 
innovations  that  have  been  introduced  into  Free  Ma- 
ibnry  from  the  time  that  it  made  its  appearance  on  the 
continent  of  Europe  as  a  myflical  fociety,  poflcfiing 
fecrets  different  from  thofe  of  the  mechanical  employ- 
ment whofe  name  it  affumed,  and  thus  affording  en- 
tertainment and  occupation  to  perfonsof  all  ranks  and 
profeffions.  It  is  by  no  means  intended  to  give  a  hif- 
tory  of  Free  Mafonry.  This  v/ould  lead  to  a  very  long 
difcufiion.  The  patient  induftry  of  German  erudition 
has  been  very  ferioufly  employed  on  this  fubjedl,  and 
many  performances  have  been  publiflied,  of  which 
fome  account  is  given  in  the  different  volumes  of  the 
Religions  Begcbenheitcn,  particularly  in  thofe  for  1779, 
1785,  and  1786.  It  is  evident,  from  the  nature  of  the 
thing,  that  they  cannot  be  very  inftruclive  to  the  pub- 
lic ;  becaufe  the  obligation  of  fecrecy  rcfpeding  the 
important  matters  which  are  the  very  fubjecls  of  de- 
bate, prevents  the  author  from  giving  that  full  infor- 
mation that  is  required  from  an  hiilorian  ;  and  the  wri- 
ters have  not,  in  general,  been  perfons  qualified  for 
the  taflc.  Scanty  erudition,  credulity,  and  enthufiafm, 
appear  in  almoil  all  their  v/ritings ;  and  they  have 
neither  attempted  to  remove  the  heap  of  rubbifh  v;ith 
which  Anderfon  has  difgraced  his  Cunfiitutions  of  Free 
Majcnry,  (the  baHs  of  miafonic  hiftory,)  nor  to  avail 
themfclves  of  informations  which  hiftory  really  affords 
to  a  f-ber enquirer.  Their  Royal  art  mull  never  for- 
footh  appear  in  aftate  of  infancy  or  childhood,  like  all 
other  human  acquirem.ents  ;  and  therefore,  when  they 
cannot  give  proofs  of  its  exifiencein  a  (late  of  manhood, 
poffeffed  of  all  its  myftcrious  treafures,  they  fu{)pofe 
what  they  do  not  fee,  and  fay  that  they  are  concealed  by 
the  oath  of  fecrecy.     Of  fuch  inftrudion  1  can  make 

no 


INTRODUCTION.  If 

noufe,  even  if  I  were  difpofed  to  write  ahiftory  of  the 
Fraternity.  I  (hall  content  myfelf with  an  account  of 
fiich  particulars  as  are  admitted  by  all  the  malbnic 
parties,  and  which  illuftrate  or  confirm  my  general  pro- 
pofition,  making  fuch  ufeof  the  accounts  of  the  higher 
degrees  in  my  pofTeffion  as  I  can  without  admitting  the 
profane  into  their  Lodges.  Being  under  no  tie  offe- 
crecy  with  regard  to  thcfe,  I  am  with-held  by  difcretion 
alone  from  putting  the  public  in  poflelTion  of  all  their 
mylteries. 


PROOFS 


PROOFS 

O  F 

A    CONSPIRACY,    &c 


C  H  A  p.    I. 

Schjfms  in  Free  Majonry, 


X  HERE  is  undoubtedly  a  dignity  in  the  art  of  build- 
ing, or  in  architecture,  which  no  other  art  pofleflfes,  and 
this,  whether  we  confider  it  in  its  rudeft  ftate,  occu- 
pied in  raifing  a  hut,  or  as  praftifed  in  a  cultivated 
nation,  in  the  erc6lion  of  a  magnificent  and  ornament- 
ed temple.  As  the  arts  in  general  improve  in  any 
nation,  this  muft  always  maintain  its  pre-eminence; 
for  it  employs  them  all,  and  no  man  can  be  eminent 
as  an  architect  who  does  not  poffefs  a  confiderable 
knowledge  of  almoft  every  fcience  and  art  already  cul- 
tivated in  his  nation.  His  great  works  are  undertak- 
ings of  the  mofl:  ferious  concern,  connect  him  with 
the  public,  or  with  the  rulers  of  the  ftate,  and  attach 
to  him  the  practitioners  of  other  arts,  who  are  occu- 
pied in  executing  his  orders  :  His  works  are  the  ob- 
jefts  of  public  attention,  and  are  not  the  tranfient  fpec- 
tacles  of  the  day,  but  hand  down  to  pofterity  his  in- 
vention. 


aO  THE    SCHISMS    IN  CHAP.   1. 

vcntion,  his  knowledge,  and  his  tafte.  No  wonder 
then  that  he  thinks  highly  of  his  profefiion,  and  that 
the  public  Ihould  acquielce  in  his  pretenfions,  even 
when  in  fome  degree  extravagant. 

It  is  not  at  all  furprifing,  therefore,  that  the  incor- 
porated architeds  in  all  cultivated  nations  fhould  arro- 
gate to  themfclves  a  pre-eminence  over  the  fimilar  af- 
fociations  of  other  tradefmcn.  We  find  traces  of  this 
in  the  remotcft  antiquity.  The  Dionyfiacs  of  Afia 
Minor  were  undoubtedly  an  alTociation  of  architects 
and  engineers,  who  had  the  exclufivc  privilege  of  build- 
ing temples,  ftadia,  and  theatres,  under  the  myfterious 
tutelage  of  Bacchus,  and  diftinguilhed  from  the  unin- 
itiated or  profane  inhabitants  by  the  fcience  which  they 
poireffed,  and  by  many  private  figns  and  tokens,  by 
which  they  rccognifed  each  other.  This  afibciation 
came  into  Ionia  from  Syria,  into  which  country  it  had 
come  from  Perfia,  along  with  that  ftyle  of  architedlure 
that  we  call  Grecian.  We  are  alfo  certain  that  there 
was  a  fimilar  trading  alTociation,  during  the  dark  ages, 
in  Chriftian  Europe,  which  monopolized  the  building 
of  great  churches  and  caftles,  working  under  the  patro- 
nage and  proteftion  of  the  Sovereigns  and  Princes  of 
Europe,  and  pofTefling  many  privileges.  Circum- 
ftances,  which  it  would  be  tedious  to  enumerate  and 
difcufs,  continued  this  afibciation  later  in  Britain  than 
on  the  Continent. 

But  it  is  quite  uncertain  when  and  why  perfons  who 
were  not  builders  by  profefi^ion  firfl:  fought  admifl^ion 
into  this  Fraternity.  The  firfb  difi:in6t  and  unequivocal 
inftance  that  we  have  of  this  is  the  admilTion  of  Mr. 
Afhmole,  the  famous  antiquary,  in  1648,  into  a  Lodge 
at  Warrington,  along  with  his  father-in  law  Colonel 
Mainwaring.  k  is  not  improbable  that  the  covert  of 
fecrecy  in  thofc  afiTcmblies  had  made  tliem  courted  by 
the  Royalifts,  as  occafions  of  meeting.  Nay,  the  Ri- 
tual 


CHAP.    I.  FREE    MASONRY.  21 

tual  of  the  Mafter's  degree  feems  to  have  been  formed, 
or  perhaps  twifted  from  its  original  inftitution,  fo  as  to 
give  an  opportunity  of  founding  the  political  princi- 
ples of  the  candidate,  and  of  the  whole  Brethren  pre- 
liefit.  For  it  bears  fo  eafy  an  adaption  to  the  death  of 
tlie  King,  to  the  overturning  of  the  venerable  confti- 
tution  of  the  Englifh  government  of  three  orders  by  a 
mean  democracy,  and  its  re-eftablifhment  by  the  ef- 
forts of  the  loyalifts,  that  this  would  ftart  into  every 
perfon's  mind  during  the  ceremonial,  and  could  hard- 
ly fail  to  fhow,  by  the  countenances  and  behaviour  of 
the  Brethren,  how  they  were  affe6ted.  I  recommend 
this  hint  to  the  confideration  of  the  Brethren.  I  have 
met  with  many  particular  fa6ls,  v/hich  convince  me 
that  this  ufe  had  been  made  of  the  meetings  of  Ma- 
fons,  and  that  at  this  time  the  Jefuits  interfered  confi- 
derably,  infinuating  themfelves  into  the  Lodges,  and 
contributing  to  encreafe  that  religious  myfticifm  that  is 
to  be  obferved  in  all  the  ceremonies  of  the  order. 
This  fociety  is  well  knov/n  to  have  put  on  every  fhape, 
and  to  have  made  ufe  of  every  mean  that  could  pro- 
mote the  power  and  influence  of  the  order.  And  we 
know  that  at  this  time  they  were  by  no  means  with- 
out hopes  of  re-eftablifhing  the  dominion  of  the 
Church  of  Rome  in  England.  Their  fervices  were 
not  fcrupled  at  by  the  diftrefTcd  royalifts,  even  fuch 
as  were  Proteftants,  while  they  were  highly  prized  by 
the  Sovereign.  Wc  alio  know  that  Charles  II.  was 
made  a  Mafon,  and  frequented  the  Lodges.  It  is  not 
unlikely,  that  bcfides  the  araufement  of  a  vacant  hour, 
which  was  always  agreeable  to  him,  he  had  pleafurc  in 
the  meeting  with  his  loyal  friends,  and  in  the  occupa- 
tions of  the  Lodge,  which  recalled  to  his  mind  their 
attachment  and  fervices.  His  brother  and  fuccefFor 
James  II.  was  of  a  more  ferious  and  manly  caft  of 
mind,  and  had  little  pleafure  in  the  frivolous  ceremo- 
nies 


22  THE  SCHISMS  IN  CHAP.  I. 

monies  of  Mi^fonry.  He  did  not  frequent  the  Lodges. 
But,  by  this  time,  they  were  the  refort  of  many  perfons 
who  were  not  of  the  profeflion,  or  members  of  the 
trading  corporation.  This  circumltance,  in  all  proba- 
bility, produced  the  denominations  of  Free  and  Ac- 
cepted. A  perfon  who  has  the  privilege  of  working 
at  any  incorporated  trade,  is  faid  to  be  a  freeman  of 
that  trade.  Others  were  accepted  as  Brethren,  and  ad- 
mitted to  a  kind  of  honorary  freedom,  as  is  the  cafe  in 
many  other  trades  and  incorporations,  without  havinor 
(as  far  as  we  can  learn  for  certain)  a  legal  title  to  earn 
a  livelihood  by  the  exercifc  of  it. 

The  Lodges  being  in  this  manner  frequented  by  per- 
fons of  various  profefllons,  and  in  various  ranks  of  civil 
fociety,  it  cannot  be  fuppofed  that  the  employment  in 
thofe  meetings  related  entirely  to  the  oftenfible  pro- 
feffion  of  Mdfonry.  We  have  no  authentic  informa- 
tion by  which  the  public  can  form  any  opinion  about  it. 
It  was  not  till  fome  years  after  this  period  that  the 
Lodges  made  open  profeflion  of  the  cultivation  of  ge- 
neral benevolence,  and  that  the  grand  aim  of  the  Fra- 
ternity was  to  enforce  the  exercife  of  all  the  focial  vir- 
tues. It  is  not  unlikely  that  this  was  an  after-thought. 
The  political  purpofes  of  the  aflTociation  being  once 
obtained,  the  converfation  and  occupations  of  the 
members  muft  take  fome  particular  turn,  in  order  to 
be  generally  acceptable.  The  eftablifliment  of  a  fund 
for  the  relief  of  unfortunate  Brethren  did  not  take  place 
till  the  very  end  of  laft  century  ;  and  we  may  prefume 
that  it  was  brought  about  by  the  warm  recommenda- 
tions of  fome  benevolent  members,  who  would  na- 
turally enforce  it  by  addrcfles  to  their  afTembled  Bre- 
thren. This  is  the  probable  origin  of  thofe  philan- 
thropic difcourfcs  which  were  delivered  in  the  Lodges 
by  one  of  the  Brethren  as  an  ofBcial  tafk.  Brotherly 
love  was  the  general  topic,  and  this,  with  great  pro- 
priety, 


CHAP.    I.  FREE    MASONRY.  2^ 

priety,  when  we  confider  the  objedt  aimed  at  in  thofe 
addrefles.     Nor  was  this  objedt  altogether  a  novelty. 
For  while  the  manners   of  fociety  were  yet  but  rude. 
Brother   Mafons,   who  were   frequently   led   by  their 
employment  far  from  home  and   from  their  friends, 
flood  in  need  of  fuch  helps,  and  might  be  greatly  be- 
nefited by  fuch   an   inftitution,  which    gave  them  in- 
troduction and  citizenfhip  wherever  they  went,  and  a 
right  to  Iharc  in  the  charitable  contributions  of  Bre- 
thren who  were  ftrangers  to  them.     Other  incorporat- 
ed trades   had   fimilar  provifions  for  their  poor.     But 
their  poor  were  townfmen  and  neighbours,  well  known 
to  them.     There  was  more  perfuafion  necefiary  in  this 
Fraternity,  where  the  objects  of  our  immediate  bene- 
ficence were  not  of  our  acquaintance.     But  when  the 
Lodges  confifted  of  many  who  were  not  Mafons,  and 
who  had   no  particular  claim  to  good  offices  from  a 
ftranger,  and  their  number  might  be   great,  it  is  evi- 
dent that  ftronger  perfuafions  were  now  neceffary,  and 
that  every  topic  of  philanthropy  muft  now  be  employ- 
ed.    When  the  funds  became  connderable,  the  cfFefts 
naturally  took  the  public  eye,    and  recommended  the 
Society  to  notice  andrefped:.     And  now  the  Brethren 
were  induced  to  dwell  on   the  fame   topic,  rojoin  in 
the  commendations  beftowed  on   the   Society,   and   to 
fay  that  univerfal  beneficence  was  the  great  aim  of  the 
Order.     And   this  is  all  that  could  be  faid  in  public, 
without  infringing  the  obligation  to  fecrecy.     The  in- 
quifitive  are  always  prying  and  teazing,  and  this  is  the 
only  point   on   which  a  Brother  is  at  liberty  to  fpeak. 
He  will  therefore  do  it  with  afieftionate  zeal,  till  per- 
haps he  has  heated  his  own  fancy  a  little,  and  over- 
looks the  inconfiftency   of  this  univerfal  beneficence 
and  philanthropy  with  the  exclufive  and  monopolizing 
fpirit  of  an  Alfociation,  which   not  only  confines  its 
benevolence  to  its  own  Members,  (like  any  orhcr  cha- 
ritable 


24  ^"^^    SCHISMS    IN  CHAP.    1. 

ritablc  alibciation,)  but  hoards  up  in  its  bofom  inefti- 
mable  fecrets,  whofe  natural  tendency,  they  fay,  is  to 
form  the  heart  to  this  generous  and  kind  condudt,  and 
infpirc  us  with  love  to  all  mankind.  The  profane 
world  cannot  fee  the  beneficence  of  concealing  from 
public  view  a  principle  or  a  motive  which  fo  power- 
fully induces  a  Mafon  to  be  good  and  kind.  The 
Brother  fays  that  publicity  would  rob  it  of  its  force, 
and  we  mull  take  him  at  his  word;  and  our  curiofity 
is  fo  much  the  more  excited  to  leain  what  are  the  fe- 
crets which  have  fo  fingular  a  quality. 

Thus  did  the  Fraternity  conduct  themfelves,  and  thus 
were  they  confidered  by  the  public,  when  it  was  carried 
over  from  England  to  the  continent  ;  and  here  it  is  to- 
be  particularly  remarked  that  all  our  Brethren  abroad 
profefs  to  have  received  the  Myftery  of  Free  Mafonry 
from  Britain.  This  is  furely  a  puzzle  in  the  hiftory » 
and  we  muft  leave  it  to  others  to  reconcile  this  with  the 
repeated  alTertions  in  Anderfon's  book  of  Conftituti- 
ons,  "  That  the  Fraternity  exifted  all  over  the  World," 
and  the  numberlefs  examples  which  he  adduces  of  its 
exertions  in  other  countries  ;  nay,  with  his  repeated 
alfertions,  *^  that  it  frequently  was  near  perifhing  in 
Britain,  and  that  our  Princes  were  obliged  to  fend 
to  France  and  other  countries,  for  leading  men,  to 
reftorc  it  to  its  former  energy  among  us."  We 
fhall  find  by  and  by  that  it  is  not  a  point  of  mere  hifto- 
rical  curiofuy,  but  that  much  hinges  on  it. 

In  the  mean  time,  let  us  juft  remember,  that  the 
plain  tale  of  Brotherly  love  had  been  polifhed  up  to 
protellations  of  univerfal  benevolence,  and  had  taken 
place  of  loyalty  and  attachment  to  the  unfortunate  Fa- 
mily of  Stuart,  which  was  now  totally  forgotten  in  the 
Englidi  Lodges.  The  Revolution  had  taken  place, 
and  King  James,  with  many  of  his  moft  zealous  adhe- 
rents, had  taken  refuge  in  France. 

But 


ft 


CHAP.  r.  FREE    MASONRY.  2^ 

But  they  took  Free  Mafonry  with  them  to  the  con- 
tinent, where  it  was  immediately  received  by  the 
French,  and  was  cukivared  with  great  zeal  in  a  man- 
ner hiitcd  to  tha  tafte  and  habits  of  that  highly  polifhed 
peopie.  The  Lodges  in  France  natin-aily  became  the 
rendezvous  of  the  adherents  to  the  exiled  King,  and 
the  means  of  carrying  on  a  correfpondence  with  their 
friends  in  England.  At  this  time  alio  the  Jefuits  took 
a  more  a6live  hand  in  Free  Mqfonry  than  ever.  They 
infinuated  themfelves  into  the  Englifli  Lodges,  where 
they  were  careflcd  by  the  Catholics,  v>'ho  panted  after 
the  re-eilablilliment  of  their  faith,  and  tolerated  by 
the  Protefcant  royalifts,  who  thought  no  concefiion  too 
great  a  ccmpcnfation  for  their  fervices.  Ac  this  time 
changes  were  made  in  ibme  of  the  Mafonic  fymbols, 
particularly  in  the  tracing  of  the  Lodge,  v;hich  bear 
evident  marks  of  Jefuitical  interference. 

It  was  in  the  Lodge  held  at  St.  Germain's  that  the 
degree  of  Chevalier  Mafon  Ecofjcis  was  added  to  the 
three  SYMBOLICAL  degrees  of  Engiidi  Mafonry.  The 
conftitution,  as  imported,  appeared  too  coarfe  for  the 
refined  tafte  of  our  neighbowrs,  and  they  mud  make 
Mafonry  more  like  the  occupation  of  a  gentleman. 
Therefore,  the  Englifh  degrees  of  Apprentice,  Fellow-, 
craft,  and  Mafter,  were  q-^Wq^S  Jpnholkal^  and  the  whole 
contrivance  was  confidered  either  as  typical  of  fome- 
thing  more  elegant,  or  as  a  preparation  for  it.  The 
degrees  afterwards  fup-radded  to  this  leave  us  in  dcubc 
which  of  thcfe  views  the  French  entertained  of  our 
Mafonry.  But  at  all  evtnts,  tliis  rank  of  Scotch  Knight 
v/as  called  x\\(;.  firft  degree  of  the  Ma^on  Fcrffjt.  There 
is  a  device  belonging  to  this  Lodge  which  deferves  no- 
tice. A  lion,  wounded  fey  an  arrow,  and  efcaped 
from  the  ftake  to  which  hr  had  been  bound,  with  the 
broken  rope  ftill  about  his  neck,  is  leprefenucd  lying 
at  the  mouth  of  a  cave,  and  occur:ied  with  mathema- 

D  *  tied 


26  THE    SCHISMS    IN  CHAP.  1 

tical  inftruraenrs  which  are  lying  near  him.     A  broken 
crown  lies  at  the  foot  of  the  (take.     There  can  be  lit- 

V 

tie  doLibt  but  that  this  emblem  alludes  to  the  dethrone- 
ment,   the    captivity,  the  efcape,  and  the  afyhim  of 
James  II.  and  his  hopes  of  re-cllablifliment  by  the  help 
of  the  loyal  Brethren.      This  emblem  is  worn  as  the 
gorget  of  the  Scotch  Knight.     It  is  not  very  certain, 
however,  when   this  degree  was  added,  whether  im- 
mediately after  king  James's  Abdication,  or  about  the 
time  of  tne  attempt  to  fet  his  fon  on  the  Britilli  Throne. 
But  it  is  certain,  that  in  17 16,  this  and  ftill  higher  de- 
grees of  Mafonry  were  much  in  vogue  in  the  Court  of 
France.     The  refining  genius  of  the  French,  and  their 
love  of  fliow,  made  the  humble  denominations  of  the 
Englifli  Brethren  difgufting;  and  their  paffion  for  mi- 
litary rank,  the  only   charadlcr  that  connefted   them 
with  the  court  of  an  abfolute   monarch,  made  them 
adapt  Free  Mafonry  to  the  fame  fcale  of  public  cftima- 
tion,  and  invent  ranks  o^ Mr.^ms  Chevaliers.,  ornament- 
ed  with  titles,  and  ribands,  and  ftars.      Thefe  were 
highly  relifhed  by  that  vain  people  ;  and  the  price  of 
reception,   which  was  very  high,  became  a  rich  fund, 
that  was  generally  applied  to  relieve  the  wants  of  the 
banifhed  Britifli  and  Irifli  adherents  of  the  unfortunate 
Family  who  had   taken  refuge  among  them.     Three 
new   degrees,  of  Is'cvicey  Eleve,    and    Chevalier^  were 
foon  added,  and  the  Parfait  Mr^on  had  nov/  feven  re- 
ceptions to  g®  through,  for  each  of  which  a  handfome 
contribution   was   made.     Afterwards,  when   the  firfl: 
beneficent  purpofc  of  this  contribution  ceafed  to  exifb, 
the  fincrv  that  now  p-littered  in  all  the  Lodges  made  a 
liiil  more  craving  demand  for  reception- money,  and 
i  igenuity  was  fet  to  v/ork  to  invent  new  baits  for  the 
Parfaii  iVkc-'/i.     More  degrees  of  chivalry  vv'tre  added, 
intcrfperfcd  with  degrees  oi'  Philrjophe^  Ptllerin,   Clah'- 
vcy^ant,  "&c.  &c.  till  fome  J^arifiiin  Lodg-s  had  forty- 
five 


gHAP.    U  FREE    MASONRY*  2J 

five  ranks  of  Mafonry,  having  fifteen  orders  of  chi- 
valry. For  a  Knighthood,  Vv'ith  a  Riband  and  a  Star, 
was  a  k?n!e  bcuche,  given  at  every  third  flep.  For  a 
long  while  thefe  degrees  of  chivalry  proceeded  on  feme 
faint  analogies  with  feveral  orders  of  chivalry  which 
had  been  ereded  in  Europe.  All  of  thefe  had  fome 
reference  to  fome  myfirical  dodlrines  of  the  Chriftian 
church,  and  were,  in  fadt,  contrivances  of  the  Church 
of  Rome  for  fecuring  and  extending  her  influence  on 
the  laymen  of  rank  and  fortune,  whom  fhe  retained  in 
her  fervice  by  thefe  play-things.  The  Knights  Tem- 
plars of  Jerufalem,  and  the  Knights  of  the  Defert, 
whofe  office  it  was  to  proteft  pilgrims,  and  to  defend 
the  holy  city,  afforded  very  apt  models  for  Mafonic 
mimicry,  becaufe  the  Temple  of  Solomon,  and  the 
Holy  Sepulchre,  always  fhared  the  fame  fate.  Many 
contefted  dodrines  of  the  theologians  had  alfo  their 
Chevaliers  to  defend  them. 

In  all  this  progrefTive  mummery  we  fee  much  of  the 
hand  of  the  Jefuits,  and  it  would  fcem  that  it  was  en- 
couraged by  the  church.  But  a  thing  happened  which 
might  eafily  have  been  forefcen.  The  Lodges  had 
become  familiar  with  this  kind  of  invention  j  the  pro- 
ic^t(\  objeft  of  many  real  Orders  of  Knighthood  was 
often  very  whimfical,  or  very  refined  and  far-fetched, 
and  it  required  all  the  finelTe  of  the  clergy  to  give  to 
it  fome  flight  connexion  with  religion  or  morality. 
The  Mafons,  protefled  by  their  fecrecy,  ventured  to 
go  farther.  The  declamations  in  the  lodges  by  the 
Brother  orator,  mull  naturally  refemble  the  compofi- 
tions  of  the  ancient  fophifts,  and  confifl  of  v/ire-drawn 
difTertations  on  the  focial  duties,  where  every  thing  is 
amplified  and  ilrained  to  hyperbole,  in  their  far-fetched 
and  fancifulcxplanationsofthefymbolsol'Mafonry.Thus 
accuftomed  to  allegory,  to  fiftion,  to  fineiTe,  and  to  a  forC 
©f  innocent  hypocrify  by  which  they  csjoled  t.h^fTri  ft  Ives 

into 


25  THE    SCHISMS    IN  CHAP.  I. 

into  a  notion  that  this  child's- play  had  at  bottom  a 
lerious  and  important  meaning,  the  zealous  champions 
of  Free  Malbnry  found  no  inclination  to  check  tjiis 
inventive  fpirit  or  circumfcribe  its  flights.  Under  the 
prote(fi"ion  of  Mafonic  fecrecy,  they  planned  fchcmes 
of  a  different  kind,  and  inflead  of  more  Orders  of 
Chivalry  directed  againft  the  enemies  of  their  faith, 
they  formed  aflTociations  in  oppofition  to  the  ridiculous 
and  opprcflive  ceremonies  and  fuperftitions  of  the 
church.  There  can  be  no  doubt,  that  in  thofe  hidden 
afiemblies,  a  free  communication  of  fentiment  was 
highly  relilhed  and  much  indulged.  It  was  foon  fuf- 
pcd:ed  that  fuch  ufe  was  made  of  the  covert  of  a  Mafon 
Lodge;  and  the  church  dreaded  the  confcquences, 
and  endeav'ourcd  to  fupprefs  the  Lodges.  But  in  vain. 
And  v/hen  it  was  found,  that  even  auricular  confeffion, 
and  the  fpii  itual  threatcnings  of  the  church,  could  not 
make  the  Brethren  break  ttieir  oath  of  fecrecy  ;  a  full 
confidence  in  their  fecurity  made  thefe  free-thinking 
Brethren  brinp  forward,  with  all  the  eaijernefs  of  a 
mifiionary,  fuch  fentiments  as  they  were  afraid  to  ha- 
zard in  ordinary  fociety.  This  was  long  fufpc6led  ; 
but  the  rigours  of  the  church  only  ferved  to  knit  the 
Brethren  more  firmly  together,  and  provoked  them  to 
a  more  eager  exerciie  of  their  bold  criticifms.  The 
Lodges  became  fchools  of  fcepticifm  and  infidelity, 
and  the  fpirit  of  converfion  or  profelytifm  grew  every 
day  ftronger.  Cardinal  Dubois  had  before  this  time 
laboured  with  all  his  might  to  corrupt  the  minds  of 
the  courtiers,  by  patronifing,  direftly  and  indire6tly, 
all  fcepcics  who  were  otherwife  men  of  talents.  He 
gave  the  young  courtiers  to  underfcand,  that  if  he 
ihouM  obtain  the  reins  of  government,  they  fhould  be 
entirely  freed  from  the  bigotry  of  Louis  XIV.  and  the 
opprellion  of  the  church,  and  fiiould  have  the  free  in- 
duigencc  of  their  inclinations.     His  own  plans  were 

difap- 


CHAP.     I.  FREE    MASONRY.  29 

difappointed  by  his  death ;  but  the  Regent  Orleans 
was  equally  indulgent,  and  in  a  few  years  there 
was  hardly  a  man  in  France  who  pretended  know- 
ledge and  rcHeftion,  who  did  not  laugh  at  all  reli- 
gion. Amidil  the  almoft  infinite  number  of  publi- 
cations from  the  French  preiTes,  there  is  hardly  a  do- 
zen to  be  found  where  the  author  attempts  to  vindicate 
religion  from  the  charges  of  univcrfal  fuperftition  and 
falfehood.  And  it  mufl:  be  acknowledged  that  little 
clfe  v/as  to  be  feen  in  the  eftablifhed  religion  of  the 
kingdom.  The  people  found  nothing  in  Chriftianity 
but  a  never-ceafinff  round  of  infi2;nificant  and  trouble- 
fome  ceremonies,  which  confumed  their  time,  and 
furnifhed  a  fund  for  fupporting  a  fet  of  lordly  and  op- 
preliive  dignitaries,  who  declared  in  the  plaineft  man- 
ner their  own  dilbelief  of  their  religion,  by  their  total 
difregard  of  common  decency,  by  their  continual  reli- 
dcnce  at  court,  and  by  abfolute  negledr,  and  even  the 
moil:  haughty  and  oppreffive  treatment  of  the  only  part 
of  their  order  that  took  any  concern  about  the  religious 
fcntiments  of  the  nation,  namely  the  Cures  or  parifli- 
priefts.  The  monks  appeared  only  as  lazy  drones  ;  but 
the  parifh-priefts  inilrufled  the  people,  vifited  the  fick, 
reconciled  the  offender  and  the  offended,  and  were  the 
great  mediators  between  the  landlords  and  their  vaf- 
lals,  an  ciiice  which  endeared  them  more  to  the  peo- 
ple tlian  all  the  other  circiimftances  of  their  profcffion. 
And  it  is  remarkable,  that  in  all  the  licentious  writinp-s 
and  bitter  fatirical  tales  of  the  philofophic  freethink- 
ers, fuch  as  Voltaire,  who  never  fails  to  have  a  taunting 
hit  at  the  clergy,  the  Cure  is  generally  an  amjableperfon- 
age,  a  charitable  man,  a  friend  to  the  poor  andunfor- 
tiinate,  a  peace-maker,  and  a  man  of  piety  and  worth. 
Yet  thefe  men  Vv'ere  kept  in  a  (hue  of  the  moft  flavifn 
and  cruel  fubjeftion  by  the  higher  orders  of  the  cler- 
gy, and  all  hopes  of  advancement  cut  off.     Rarely, 

hardly 


30  THE    SCHISMS    IN  CHAP.   I. 

hardly  ever,  does  it  happen,  that  a  Cure  becomes  a 
Bifhop.  The  Abbes  Itep  into  every  line  of  prefer- 
ment. When  fuch  procedure  is  obferved  by  a  whole 
nation,  what  opinion  can  be  formed  but  that  the  whole 
is  a  vile  cheat  ?  This  however  was  the  cafe  in  France, 
and  therefore  infidelity  was  almoll  univerfal.  Nor 
was  this  overflrained  freedom  or  iicentioufnefs  confin- 
ed to  religious  opinions.  It  was  perhaps  more  natu- 
rally direfted  to  the  reftraints  arifing  from  civil  fub- 
ordination.  The  familiar  name  of  Brother  could  not 
but  tickle  the  fancy  of  thofe  of  inferior  rank,  when 
they  found  themftlves  fide  by  fide  with  perfons  whom 
they  cannot  approach  out  of  doors  but  with  cautious 
refpeft ;  and  while  thefe  men  of  rank  have  their  pride 
lulled  a  little,  and  perhaps  their  hearts  a  little  fofccned 
by  the  hackneyed  cant  of  fcntimental  declamation  on 
the  topic  of  Brotherly  love  and  Utopian  felicity,  the 
others  begin  to  fancy  the  happy  days  arrived,  and  the 
light  of  philanthropy  beaming  from  the  eaft  and  illu- 
minating the  Lodge.  The  Garret  Pamphleteer  enjoys 
his  fancied  authority  as  Senior  Warden,  and  condufts 
with  affed:ionate  folemnity  the  young  nobleman,  who 
pants  for  the  honour  of  Mafterfliip,  and  he  praiics  the 
trufty  Brother  who  has  guarded  him  in  his  perilous 
journies  round  the  room.  What  topic  of  declamation 
can  be  more  agreeable  than  the  equality  of  the  worthy 
Brethren  ?  and  hov/  naturally  v/ill  the  Brother  Orator 
in  fupport  of  this  favourite  topic,  Aide  into  all  the 
common-place  pi6tures  of  human  fociety,  freed  from 
all  the  anxieties  attending  civil  diilinftion,  and  pafTing 
their  days  in  happy  fimpllcity  and  equality.  From 
this  ftate  of  the  fancy,  it  is  hardly  a  ftep  to  defcant  on 
the  propriety,  the  expediency,  and  at  laft,  thejuflice 
of  fuch  an  arrangement  of  civil  fociety  ;  and  in  doing 
this,  one  cannot  avoid  taking  notice  of  the  grea:  ob- 
ftruclions  to  human  felicity   which   we  fee  in   every 

quarter, 


CHAP.  I.  FREE    MASONRY.  3I 

quarter,  proceeding  from  the  abufes  of  thofe  diftinc- 
tions  of  rank  and  fortune  which  have  arifen  in  the 
world  :  and  as  the  mifchiefs  and  horrors  of  fuperfti- 
tion  are  topics  of  continual  declamation  to  thofe  who 
wifh  to  throw  off  the  reflraints  of  religion  j  fo  the  op- 
prcffion  of  the  rulers  of  this  world,  and  the  fuffcrings 
of  talents  and  worth  in  inferior  ftations,  will  be  no  lefs 
greedily  liftened  to  by  all  whofe  notions  of  morality 
are  not  very  pure,  and  who  .would  be  glad  to  have  the 
enjoyments  of  the  wealthy  without  the  trouble  of  la- 
bouring for  them.  Free  Mafonry  may  be  affirmed  to 
have  a  natural  tendency  to  fofter  fuch  levelling  wifhes; 
and  we  cannot  doubt  but  that  great  liberties  are  taken 
with  thofe  fubjefts  in  the  Lodges,  efpecially  in  coun- 
tries where  the  dirtinclions  of  rank  and  fortune  are 
flrongiy  exprcffcd  and  noticed. 

But  it  is  not  a  matter  of  mere  probability  that  the 
Mafon  Lodges  were  the  feminarics  of  thefe  libertine 
inftruCtions.  We  have  diftincl"  proof  of  it,  even  in 
fome  of  the  French  degrees.  In  the  degree  called  the 
Chevalier  deScleil,  the  whole  inflruclion  is  aimed  againll 
the  eftablifhed  religion  of  the  kingdom.  The  profeffed 
objeft  is  the  emancipation  from  error  and  the  difcovery 
of  truth.  The  infcription  in  d'K^  caft  is  SageJJe,  that  in 
the  north  is  LibertCy  that  in  the  f  )uth  is  Fermete^  and  in 
the  weft  it  is  Caution ;  terms  which  are  very  flgnificanr. 
The  Tres  Venerable  is  Adam;  the  Senior  Warden  is 
Truth,  and  all  the  Brethren  are  Children  of  Truth. 
The  procels  ot  reception  is  very  well  contrived:  the 
whole  ritual  is  decent  and  circumfpc6t,  and  nothing 
occurs  which  can  alarm  the  niofb  timiid.  Brother 
Truth  is  afl<:ed.  What  is  tin*  hour  ?  He  informs  Fa- 
ther Adam,  that  amono-  men  it  is  the  hour  of  dark- 
nefs,  but  that  it  is  mid-day  in  the  Lodge.  The  can- 
didate is  afl:ed,  Why  he  has  knocked  at  the  door,  and 
what  is  become  ot  liis  eight  companions  (he  is  one  of 

the 


32  THE    SCHISMS    IN  CHAP.  I. 

the  Elus)?  He  fays,  that  the  world  is  in  darknefs, 
and  his  companions  and  he  have  loft  each  other  ;  that 
HefperuSj  the  itar  of  Europe,  is  obfcured  by  clouds  of 
inccnfe,  offered  up  by  fuperuition  to  defpots,  who 
have  made  themfelves  gods,  and  have  retired  into  zhc 
inmofl  rcceffes  of  their  palaces,  that  they  may  not  be 
recogniftd  to  be  men,  while  their  priefts  are  deceiving 
the  people,  and  caufing  them  to  worfliip  thefc  divi- 
nities. This  and  many  fimilar  fentimcnts  are  evident 
allufions  to  the  pernicious  doftrine  of  the  book  called 
Origine  du  Defpotifme  Oriental^  where  the  religion  of  all 
countries  is  confidercd  as  a  mere  engine  of  ftate ; 
■where  it  is  declared  that  reafon  is  the  only  light  which 
nature  has  ^iven  to  man  :  that  our  anxiety  about  futu- 
rity has  made  us  imagine  endlefs  torments  in  a  future 
world  ;  and  that  princes,  taking  advantage  of  our 
weaknefs,  have  taken  the  management  of  our  hopes 
and  fears,  and  dircfled  them  fo  as  to  fuit  their  own 
purpoCes  i  and  emancipation  from  the  fear  of  death  is 
declared  to  be  the  greateft  of  all  deliverances.  Quef- 
tions  are  put  to  the  candidate,  tending  to  difcover  whe- 
ther and  how  far  he  may  be  trufted,  and  v/hat  facrifices 
he  is  willing  to  make  in  fearch  after  truth. 

This  fliape  given  to  the  plaftic  myfteries  of  Mafonry 
was  much  rclilhed,  and  in  a  very  ftiort  time  this  new  , 
path  was  completely  explored,  and  a  new  feries  of  de- 
crrees  was  added  to  the  lift,  viz.  the  Novice,  and  the 
Elil  de  la  Ve?-ite,  and  the  Suhli'ms  Philofophe.  In  the 
progrefs  through  thefe  degrees,  tlie  Brethren  muft  for- 
get that  they  have  formerly  been  Chc-jaUsrs  de  VOrienty 
Chevcdiers  de  V Aiglc^  when  the  fymbols  were  all  ex- 
plained as  typical  of  the  life  and  immortality  brought 
to  light  by  the  gofpcl.  Indeed  they  are  tau'i^ht  to  clafs 
this  among  the  other  clouds  which  have  b(^en  Jifpelled 
by  the  fun  of  reafon.  Even  in  the  Cbevalerie  de  rjigle 
there  is  a  tvv'ofold  exphnatiorj  given  of  the  fymbols,  by 

which 


CHAP.  I.  FREE    MASONRY".  33 

which  a  lively  imagination  may  conceive  the  whole 
hilloj-y  and  peculiar  doctrines  of  the  New  Tefcamenr, 
as  being  typical  of  the  final  triumph  of  reafon  and  phi- 
lofophy  over  error.  And  perhaps  this  degree  is  the 
very  firPc  ftep  in  the  plan  of  Illumination. 

We  arc  not  to  fuppofe  that  this  was  carried  to  ex- 
tremity at  once.  But  it  is  certain,  that  before  1743, 
it  had  become  iinivcrfal,  and  that  the  Lodges  of  Free 
Mafons  had  become  the  places  for  making  profelytes 
to  every  ftrange  and  obnoxious  do6lrine.  Theurgy^ 
Ccfmcgonyy  Cabala^  and  many  whimfical  and  myfticai 
docfbrines  which  have  been  grafted  on  the  diftinguifh- 
ing  tenets  and  the  pure  morality  of  the  Jews  and  Chrif- 
tians,  were  fubjeds  of  frequent  difcuirion  in  the  Lodges. 
The  celebrated  Chevalier  Ramfay  had  a  great  fnare  in 
all  this  bufinefs.  AfFcdiionately  attached  to  the  family 
of  Stuart,  and  to  his  native  country,  he  had  co-ope- 
rated heartily  with  thofe  who  endeavoured  to  employ 
Mafonry  in  the  fcrvice  of  the  Pretender,  and,  availing 
himfelf  of  the  pre-eminence  given  (at  tirft  perhaps  as 
a  courtly  compliment)  to  Scotch  Mafonry,  he  laboured 
to  fhew  that  it  exifted,  and  indeed  arofe,  during  the 
Crufades,  and  that  there  really  was  either  an  order  of 
chivalry  whofe  bufinefs  it  was  to  rebuild  the  Chriftian 
churches  deftroyed  by  the  Saracens,  or  that  a  frater- 
nity of  Scotch  Mafons  were  thus  employed  in  the  eail, 
under  the  protection  of  the  Knights  of  St.  John  of  Je- 
rufalem.  He  found  fomic  fafts  which  w^ere  thought 
fufficient  grounds  for  fiich  an  opinion,  fuch  as  the 
building  of  the  college  of  thcfe  Knights  in  London, 
called  the  Temple,  which  was  actually  done  by  the 
public  Fraternity  of  Mafons  who  had  been  in  the  holy 
wars.  It  is  chiefly  to  him  that  we  are  indebted  for 
that  rage  of  M_afonic  chivalry  which  diilinguifhies  the 
French  Free  Maflrjnry.  Ramfay  w^as  as  eminent  for 
his  piety  as  he  was  for  his  cnthufiafm,  but  his  opinions 

E  were 


34  THE    SCHISMS    IN  CHAP.  I. 

were  fingular.     His  eminent  learning,  his  elegant  ta- 
lents, his  amiable  charadtcr,  and   particularly  his  cfti- 
mation  at  court,  gave  great  influence  to  every  thing 
he  laid  on   a  fubjedl  which  was   merely  a  matter  of 
fadiion  and  amulcment.     Whoever  has  attended  much 
to  human  affairs,  knows  the  eagcrnefs  with  which  men 
propagate  all  fmgular  opinions,  and  the  delight  which 
attends   their  favourable   reception.     None  are  more 
zealous  than  the  apoftlcs  of  infidelity  and  atheifm.     It 
is  in  human  nature  to  catch  with   greedinefs  any  op- 
portunity of  doing  what  lies   under  general  reilraint. 
And  if  our  apprehcnfions  are  not  completely  quieted, 
in  a  cafe  where  our  wifhes  lead  us  ftrongly  to  fome  fa- 
vourite but  hazardous  objeft,  we  are   confcious  of  a 
kind   of  felf  bullying.     This  naturally  gets  into  our 
difcourfe,  and  in  our  eagernefs  to  get  the  encourage- 
ment of  joint  adventurers,  we  enforce  our  tenets  with 
an  energy,  and  even  a  violence,  that  is  very  inconfif- 
tent  with  the  fubjeft  in  hand.     If  I  am  an  Atheift,  and 
my  neighbour  a  Theift,  there  is  furely  nothing  that 
iliould  make  me  violent  in  my  endeavours  to  rid  him 
of  his  error.     Yet  hov/  violent  were  the  people  of  this 
party  in  France. 

Thefe  facfts  and  obfervations  fully  account  for  the 
zeal  with  which  all  this  patch-work  addition  to  the 
fimple  Free  Mafonry  of  England  v^as  profecuted  in 
France.  It  furprifes  us  Britons,  who  are  accullomed 
to  confider  the  whole  as  a  matter  of  amufement  for 
young  men,  who  are  glad  ©f  any  pretext  for  indulging 
in  conviviality.  We  generally  confider  a  man  ad- 
vanced in  life  with  lefs  refpecft,  if  he  fhows  any  ferious 
attachment  to  fuch  things.  But  in  France,  the  civil 
and  religious  reltraints  in  converfation  made  thefe  fe- 
cret  affemblies  very  precious ;  and  they  were  much 
frequented  by  men  of  letters,  who  there  found  an  op- 
portunity of  cxprcfling  in  fafcty  their  dilTatisfaftion 

with 


CAAP.  I.  FREE    IvIASCNRY.  3^* 

with  chofe  reftnilnts,  and  wlnh  that  inferiority  of  rank 
and  condition  to  which  they  were  fubjefted,  and  which 
appeared  to  themfelves  fo  inadequate  to  their  own  ta- 
lents and  merits.  The  Avocats  au  Parlement,  the  un- 
beneficed Abbes,  the  young  men  of  no  fortune,  and 
the  joidijant  philofonhers,  formed  a  numerous  band, 
frequented  the  Lodges,  and  there  difcufftd  every  topic 
of  religion  and  polidcs.  Specimens  of  this  occupation 
appeared  from  time  to  time  in  Colleftions  of  Difcourfes 
delivered  by  the  FrereOrateur.  I  once  had  in  my  pof- 
feffion  two  volumes  of  thefe  difcourfes,  which  I  now 
regret  that  I  left  in  a  Lodge  on  the  continent,  when 
my  rclil'h  for  Free  Mafonry  had  forfaken  me.  One 
of  thef"  is  a  difcourfe  by  Brother  Robinet,  delivered 
in  the  Lege  des  Chevaliers  Bienfcijants  de  la  Sainte  Cite  at 
Lyons,  at  a  vification  by  the  Grand  Mafter  the  Due  de 
ChartreSj  afterwards  Orleans  and  Egalite.  In  this  dif- 
courfe  we  have  the  germ. and  fubftance  of  his  noted 
work..  La  Nature ,  cu  V Homme  inoral  et  'phyfique*  In 
another  difcourfe,  delivered  by  Brother  Condorcet  in 
the  Lvge  des  Philalethes  at  Strafoourg,  we  have  the 
outlines  of  his  pofthumous  work,  Le  Progres  de  VEfprit 
humain  ;  and  in  another,  delivered  by  Mirabeau  in  the 
Lfjge  des  Chevaliers  Bienfaijants  at  Paris,  we  have  a  great 
deal  of  the  levelling  principles,  and  cofmopolitifm,j- 
which  he  thundered  from  the  tribunes  of  the  National 
Afiembly.  But  the  mofi:  remarkable  performances  of 
this  kind  are,  the  Archives  Myftico-Hennetiques ,  and  the 
Des  Erreurs,  et  de  la  Verite.  The  firit  i->  confidered  as 
an  account,  hiftorical  and  dogmatical,  of  the  proce- 
dure and  fyilem  of  the  Lege  des  Chevaliers  Bienfaijants 

at 

•  And  I  may  add  the  Syfteme  dc  la  Nature  of  Diderot,  who  car- 
refted  the  crude  whims  of  Robinet  by  the  more  relined  mechanifm 
of  Hartley. 

f  Citizenfhip  of  the  '^Yorld,  from  the  Greek  words  Cofnios,  world, 
and  Folisy  a  city. 


j6  THE  SCHISMS  IN  CHAP.  T. 

at  Lyons.  This  was  the  mofi:  zealous  and  fyftematical 
of  all  the  cofmopolitical  Lodges  in  France.  It  worked 
long  under  the  patronage  of  its  Grand  M.ifter  the  Due 
des  Cbaflres,  afterwards  Orleans,  and  at  laft  Pb.  Ega- 
lite.  It  fcnt  out  many  affiliated  Lodges,  which  were 
crefted  in  various  parts  of  the  French  dominions.  The 
daughter  Lodges  at  Paris,  Straibourg,  Lille,  Thou- 
loufe,  took  the  additional  title-  of  Phiialethes.  There 
arofe  fome  fchifms,  as  may  be  expcfted,  in  an  AiTo- 
ciation  where  every  man  is  encouraged  to  broach  and 
to  propagate  any  the  molt  fingular  opinion.  Thefe 
fchifms  were  continued  with  fome  heat,  but  were  in  a 
great  meafure  repaired  in  Lodges  which  took  the  name 
of  yimis  reunis  de  la  Verite.  One  of  this  denomination 
at  Paris  became  very  eminent.  The  mother  Lodge 
at  Lyons  extended  its  correfpondence  into  Germany, 
and  other  foreign  countries,  and  fcnt  conftitutions  or 
fyftems,  by  which  the  Lodges  conduced  their  opera- 
tions. 

I  have  not  been  able  to  trace  the  fteps  by  which  this 
Lodge  acquired  fuch  an  afcendancy  ;  but  I  fee,  that  in 
J769and  1770,  all  the  refined  or  philofoohical  Lodges 
in  Alface  and  Lorraine  united,  and  in  a  convention  at 
Lyons,  formally  put  themfelves  under  the  patronage 
of  this  Lodge,  cultivated  a  continual  correfpondence, 
and  confidercd  themfelves  as  profcITing  one  Maionic 
Faith,  fufficiently  diftinguifhable  from  that  of  other 
Lodges.  What  this  was  vv^e  do  not  very  diftinftly 
know.  We  can  only  infer  is  from  fome  hifcorical  cTr- 
cumftances.  One  of  its  favourite  daughters,  the  Lodge 
Theodor  von  der  giiten  Rath ^  at  Munich,  became  fo  re- 
markable for  difcourfes  dangerous  to  church  and  flate, 
that  the  Eleflor  of  Bavaria,  after  repeated  admonitions 
during  a  courfe  of  five  or  fix  years,  was  obliged  to  fup- 
prefs  it  in  1786.  Another  of  its  fuftragan  Lodges  at 
Regeniburgh   became  exceedingly   obnoxious  to  the 

flate. 


CHAP.  I.  -  FREE  MASONRY.  3*7 

flare,  and  occadoned  feveral  commotions  and  infurrec- 
tions.  Another,  at  Paris,  gradually  refined  into  the 
Jacobin  club — And  in  the  year  1791,  the  Lodges  ia 
Alfacc  and  Lorraine,  with  thofe  of  Spire  and  Worms, 
invited  Cuftine  into  Germany,  and  delivered  Mcntz 
into  his  hands. 

When  we  reflect  on  thefe  hiiloricai  facls,  we  get 
fome  key  to  the  better  underftanding  of  the  two  perfor- 
mances which  Imentioned  as  dcfcriptive  of  the  opinions 
and  occupations  of  this  Se(5l  of  Free-Mafons.  The 
Archives  MyfticD-Hcrmetiques  exhibit  a  very  ftrange  mix- 
ture of  Myllicifm,  Theofophy,  Cabaiiilic  whim,  real 
Science,  Fanaticifm,  and  Freethinking,  both  in  reli- 
gion and  politics.  They  muft  not  be  confidered  as  an 
account  of  any  fettled  fyflem,  but  rather  as  annals  of 
the  proceedings  of  the  Lodge,  and  abftracls  of  the 
ftrange  doftrines  which  made  their  fuceffive  appearance 
in  it.  But  if  an  intelligent  and  cautious  reader  examine 
them  attentively,  he  will  fee,  that  the  book  is  the 
work  of  one  hand,  and  that  ail  the  wonders  and  oddi- 
ties are  caricatured,  fo  as  to  engrofs  the  general  atten- 
tion, while  they  aifo  are  tv/iftcd  a  little,  fo  that  in  one 
way  or  another  they  accord  with  a  general  fpirit  of  li- 
centioufnefs  in  morals,  religion,  and  politics.  Although 
every  thing  is  expreffed  decently,  and  with  fome  cau- 
tion and  moderation,  aiheifm,  m.ateriaiifrn,  and  difcon- 
tent  with  civil  fubordination,  pervade  the  whole.  It 
is  a  work  of  great  art.  By  keeping  the  ridicule  and 
the  danger  of  fuperftition  and  ignorance  continually  in 
view,  the  mind  is  captivated  by  the  relief  which  free 
enquiry  and  communication  of  fentiment  feems  to  fe- 
cure,  and  we  are  put  off  our  guard  againft  the  rifk  of 
delufion,  to  v/hich  we  are  expofcd  when  our  judgment 
is  warped  by  our  pafiions. 

The  other  book,   ''  Des  Erreurs  et  de  la  Verite," 
came  from  the  fame  fchool,  and  is  a  fort  of  holy  fcrip-. 

ture. 


3S  THE  SCHISMS  IN  CHAP.  I. 

ture,  or  at  leafl:  a  Talmud  among  the  Free  Mafons  of 
France.  It  is  intended  only  for  the  iniciated,  and  is 
indeed  a  myftery  to  any  other  reader.  But  as  the  ob- 
ject of  it  was  to  fpread  the  favourite  opinions  of  fome 
enthufiaflic  Brethren,  every  thing  is  faid  that  docs  not 
diredliy  betray  the  fccrets  of  the  Order.  It  contains  a 
fyftem  of  Theofophy  that  has  often  appeared  in  the 
writings  of  philofophers,  both  in  ancient  and  modern 
times.  "  All  the  intelligence  and  moral  fcntimenc 
"  that  appears  in  the  univerfe,  either  dire<5tly,  as  in 
*'  the  minds  of  men,  or  indirectly,  as  an  inference 
*^  from  the  marks  of  defign  that  we  fee  around  us,  fome 
**■  of  which  fhow  us  that  men  have  a6ted,  and  many 
"  more  that  fome  other  intelligence  has  a6led,  are  con- 
*'  fidered  as  parts  or  portions  of  a  general  mafs  of  ih- 
"  teliigence  which  exifts  in  the  univerfe,  in  the  fame 
"  manner  as  matter  exifts  in  it.  This  intellig-ence  has 
<'  an  infcrutable  connedion  with  the  material  part  of 
<*  the  univerfe,  perliaps  refembling  the  connexion, 
<f  equally  unfearchable,  that  fubfifts  between  the  mind 
<f  and  body  of  man  3  and  it  may  be  confidered  as  the 
<f  Soul  of  the  World.  It  is  this  fubftance,  the  natural 
«  objeft  of  wonder  and  refped:,  that  men  have  called 
«^  God,  and  have  made  the  objed  of  religious  wor- 
*'  fhip.  In  doing  fo  they  have  fallen  into  grofs  mif- 
<f  takes,  and  have  created  for  themfelves  numberlefs 
«'  unfounded  hopes  and  fears,  which  have  been  the 
"  fource  of  fuperftition  and  fanaticifm,  the  moft  def- 
"  trudive  plagues  that  have  ever  afflided  the  human 
''  race.  The  Soul  of  Man  is  feparated  from  the  ge- 
*'  neral  mafs  of  intelligence  by  fome  of  the  operations 
*'  of  nature,  which  we  fhall  never  underftand,  juft  as 
"  water  is  raifed  from  the  ground  by  evaporation,  or 
"  taken  up  by  the  root  of  a  plant.  And  as  the  water, 
"  after  an  unfearchable  train  of  changes,  in  which  it 
"  fometimes  makes  part  of  a  flower,  fometiaies  part 

'<  of 


CHAP.    1.  FREE    MASONRY.  3^ 

*'  of  an  anima],  &c.  Is  at  laft  reunited,  In  Its  original 
"  form,  to  the  great  mafs  of  waters,  ready  to  run  over 
"  the  fame  circle  again  j  fo  the  Soul  of  Man,  after 
"  perform.ing  its  office,  and  exhibiting  all  that  train 
'^  of  intciledtual  phenomena  that  we  call  human  life, 
is  at  lait  fwallowed  up  in  the  great  ocean  of  intelli- 
gence/'    The  author  then  may  fing 


<( 


"  Felix  qui  potuit  rerum  cognofcere  caufas, 

"  Atque  metus  omnes  et  inexorabile  fatum 

"  Subjecic  pedibus,  ftrepitumque  Acherontis  avari.'* 

For  he  has  now  got  to  his  afylum.  This  deity  of  his 
may  be  the  objed;  of  wonder,  like  every  thing  great 
and  incomprehenfible,  but  not  of  worfliip,  as  the  mo- 
ral Governor  of  the  univerfe.  The  hopes  are  at  end, 
which  reft  on  our  notions  of  the  immortality  and  in- 
dividuality of  the  human  foul,  and  on  the  encourage- 
ment which  religion  holds  forth  to  believe,  that  im- 
provement of  the  mind  in  the  courfe  of  this  life,  by 
the  exercife  of  wifdom  and  of  virtuous  difpoficions,  is 
but  the  beginning  of  an  endlefs  progrefs  in  all  that  can 
give  delight  to  the  rational  and  well-difpofcd  mind. 
No  relation  now  fubfifts  between  man  and  Deity  that 
can  warm  the  heart.  But,  as  this  is  contrary  to  fome 
natural  propenfity  in  the  human  mind,  which  in  all 
ages  and  nations  has  panted  after  fome  connexion  with 
Deity,  the  author  ftrives  to  avail  himfelfof  fome  cold 
principles  of  fymmetry  in  the  works  of  nature,  fome 
ill-fupported  notions  of  propriety,  and  other  fuch  con- 
fiderations,  to  make  this  <2nma  mimcii  an  objeft  of  love 
and  refpetl.  This  is  done  in  greater  detail  in  another 
work,  TableaUy  des  rapports  euire  i'Hommey  Dieu,  et 
VUniverSy  which  is  undoubtedly  by  the  fame  hand. 
But  the  intelligent  reader  will  readily  fee,  that  fuch 
incongruous  things  cannot  be  reconciled,  and  that  we 
can  expedl  nothing  here   but  lophidry.     The  author 

proceeds, 


40  THE    SCHISMS    IN  CHAI'.    I. 

proceeds,  in  the  next  place,  to  confidcr  man  as  relat- 
ed to  man,  and  to  trace  out  the  path  to  happinels  in 
this  life.  Here  we  have  the  fame  overftrained  mora- 
lity as  in  the  other  work,  the  fame  univerfal  benevo- 
lence, the  fame  lamentations  over  the  mifcrable  flate 
of  manlvind,  refulting  from  the  oppreffion  of  the  pow- 
erful, the  great  ones  of  the  earth,  who  have  combined 
againll  the  happinefs  of  mankind,  and  have  fucceeded, 
by  dcbafing  their  minds,  fo  that  they  have  become 
willing  llaves.  This  could  not  have  been  brought 
about  without  the  affiftance  of  fuperilition.  But  the 
princes  of  this  world  enliftcd  into  their  fervice  the 
priefts,  who  exerted  themfelves  in  darkening  the  un- 
dcrftandings  of  men,  and  tilled  their  minds  with  reli- 
gious terrors.  The  altar  became  the  chief  pillar  o^ 
the  throne,  and  men  were  held  in  complete  fubjcdtion. 
Nothing  can  recover  them  from  this  abjeft  ftate  but 
knowledge.  While  this  difpels  their  fears,  it  will  alfo 
fhow  them  their  rights,  and  the  way  to  attain  them. 

It  deferves  particularly  to  be  remiarked,  that  this 
fyltem  of  opinions  (if  fuch  an  inconfiftent  mafs  of  af- 
fertions  can  be  called  a  fydem)  bears  a  great  refem- 
blance  to  a  performance  of  Toland's,  publiflicd  in 
1720,  called  Pantheifiicon,  Jen  Cdehratio  SodaliUi  Socra- 
tici.  It  is  an  account  of  the  principles  of  a  Fraternity 
which  he  calls  Socratica,  and  the  Brothers  Fantheiftse. 
They  are  fuppofed  to  hold  a  Lodge,  and  the  author 
gives  a  ritual  of  the  procedure  in  this  Lodge  ;  the  ce- 
rcmonies  of  ODenin<:j;  and  fhutting-  of  the  Lodo;e,  the 
admiiTion  of  Members  into  its  difi'erent  degrees,  &c. 
Reafon  is  the  Sun  that  illuminates  the  whole,  and  Li- 
berty and  Equality  are  the  objects  of  their  occupa- 
tions. 

We  fhall  fee  afterv/ards  that  this  book  v/ar,  fondly 
puHied  into  Germany,  tranfiatcd,  commented  upon, 
an<l  fo  mifrcprcfcnted,  as  to  call  oif  the  attention  from 

the 


CHAP.    I.  FREE    MASONRY.  4I 

the  real  fpirit  of  the  book,  which  is  intentionally  wrap- 
ped up  in  cabala  and  enigma.  Mirabeau  was  at  much 
pains  to  procure  it  notice ;  and  it  muft  therefore  be 
confidered  as  a  treafure  of  the  cofmo-political  opini- 
ons of  the  Affociation  o(  Chevaliers  Bienfaifants,  Phila- 
ktheSy  and  Amis  ReuHiSy  who  were  called  the  improved 
Lodges,  working  under  the  D.  de  Chartres — of  thefe 
there  were  266  in  1784.  This  will  be  found  a  very 
important  remark.  Let  it  alfo  be  recollcdled  after- 
wards, that  this  Lodge  of  Lyons  fent  a  deputy  to  a 
grand  Convention  in  Germany  in  1772,  viz.  Mr.  Wil- 
lermooz,  and  that  the  bufincfs  was  thought  of  fuch 
importance,  that  he  remained  there  two  years. 

The  book  Des  Erreurs  et  de  la  VeritCi  muft  therefore 
be  confidered  as  a  claffical  book  of  thefe  opinions.  We 
know  that  it  originated  in  the  Loge  des  Chev.  Bienfai- 
fants at  Lyons.  We  know  that  this  Lodge  ftood  as  it 
were  at  the  head  of  French  Free  Mafonry,  and  that 
the  fiditious  Order  of  Mafonic  Knights  Templars  was 
formed  in  this  Lodge,  and  was  confidered  as  the  mo- 
del of  all  the  reft  of  this  mimic  chivalry.  They  pro- 
ceeded {o  far  in  this  mummery,  as  even  to  have  the 
clerical  tonfure.  The  Duke  of  Orleans,  his  fon,  the 
Ele6lor  of  Bavaria,  and  fome  other  German  Princes, 
did  "not  fcruple  at  this  mum.mery  in  their  own  perfons. 
In  all  the  Lodges  of  reception,  the  Brother  Orator 
never  failed  to  exclaim  on  the  topics  of  fuperftitionj 
blind  to  the  exhibition  he  was  then  makin<i,  or  indif- 
ferent  as  to  the  vile  hypocrify  of  it.  We  have,  in  the 
lifts  of  Orators  and  Office-bearers,  many  names  of 
perfons,  who  have  had  an  opportunity  at  iaft-  of  pro- 
claiming their  fentiments  in  public.  The  Abbe  Sieyes 
was  of  the  Ledge  of  Philalethes  at  Paris,  and  alfo  at 
Lyons.  Lequinio,  author  of  the  moft  profligate  book 
that  ever  difgraced  a  prefs,  the  Prejuges  vaincns  par  la 
Raifon.    was   Warden   in  the  Lodfre  Com^^auie   Sociak. 

F  Defpremcnilj 


42  THE  SCHISMS  IN  GHAP.I. 

Defprcmenil,  Bailly,  Fauchct,  Mauiy,  Mounier,  were 'J 
of  the  lame  jyilem,  though  in  different  Lodges.  They 
were  called  Martinifts,  from  a  St.  Martin,  who  form- 
ed a  fchifm  in  the  fyftem  of  the  Chevaliers  BienfaifantSj 
of  which  we  have  not  any  very  precife  account.  Mer- 
cier  gives  iome  account  of  it  in  his  Tableau  ds  PariSy 
and  in  his  Anne  2440.  The  breach  alarmed  the  Bre- 
thren, and  ocGafioned  great  heats.  But  it  was  heal- 
ed, and  the  Fraternity  took  the  name  of  Mija  du  Re- 
niSy  which  is  an  anagram  of  ^t'j'  A'mis  Reunis.  The  Bi- 
Jhop  of  Autun,  the  man  lb  bepraifed  as  the  benevolent 
Citizen  of  the  World,  the  friend  of  mankind  and  of 
good  order,  was  Senior  Warden  of  another  Lodge  at 
Paris,  ef^ablillied  in  1786^  (I  think  chiefly  by  Orleans 
and  himftlf,)  which  afterwards  became  the  Jacobin 
Club.  In  Ihort,  we  may  aflert  with  confidence,  that 
the  Mafon  Lodges  in  France  were  the  hot-beds,  vi^here 
the  feeds  were  fown,  and  tenderly  reared,  of  all  the 
pernicious  doctrines  which  loon  alter  choaked  every 
moral  or  reli2;ious  cultivation,  and  have  made  the  So- 
ciety  worfe  than  a  wafbe,  have  made  it  a  noifome 
marlh  of  human  corruption,  filled  with  every  rank 
and  poifonous  weed. 

Thefe  Lodges  were  frequented  by  pcrfons  of  all 
ranks,  and  of  every  profeffion.  The  idle  and  the  fri-^ 
volous  found  amufement,  and  glittering  things  to  tickle 
their  fatiated  fancies.  There  they  became  the  dupes 
of  the  declamations  of  the  crafty  and  licentious  Abbes, 
and  writers  of  every  denomination.  Mutual  encou- 
rao-ement  in  the  indulo^ence  of  hazardous  thouo;hts  and 
opinions  which  flatter  our  wifhes  or  propenfities  is  a 
lure  which  few  minds  can  refift.  I  believe  that  moft 
men  have  felt  this  in  fome  period  of  their  lives.  I 
can  find  no  other  way  of  accounting  for  the  company 
that  I  have  fometimes  Icen  in  a  Mafon  Lodo^e.  The 
Ledge  de  la  Parfaite  Jntclligeme  at  Liege,  contained,  in 

December 


CHAP.  I.  FREE    MASONRY.  43 

December  1770,  the  Prince  Bifliop,  and  the  greateft 
part  of  his  Chapter,  and  all  the  Office-bearers  were 
dignitaries  of  the  church;  yet  a  difcourfe  given  by  the 
Brother  Orator  was  as  poignant  a  latire  on  fuperftition 
and  credulity,  as  if  it  had  been  written  by  Voltaire. 
It  was  under  the  aufpices  of  this  Lodge  that  the  collec- 
tion of  difcourfes,  which  I  mentioned  above,  was  pub- 
Jiihed,  and  there  is  no  fault  found  with  Brother  Robi- 
net,  nor  Brother  Condorcet.  Indeed  the  Trefonciers 
of  Liege  vvere  proverbial,  even  in  Brabant,  for  their 
Epicurifm  in  the  moft  extenfive  fenlb  of  the  word. 

Thus  was  corruption  Ipread  over  the  kingdom  un- 
der the  rnafk  of  moral  inftru6lion.  For  thefe  difcourfes 
were  full  of  the  moft  refined  and  ftrained  morality,  and 
florid  paintings  of  Utopian  felicity,  in  a  ftate  where 
all  are  Brothers  and  citizens  of  the  world.  But  alas  1 
thefe  wire- drawn  principles  feem  to  have  had  little  in- 
fluence on  the  hearts,  even  of  thofe  who  could  beft 
difplay  their  beauties.  Read  the  tragedies  of  Voltaire, 
and  fome  of  his  grave  performances  in  profe — What 
man  is  there  who  feems  better  to  know  his  Mafter's 
will?  No  man  expreflTes- with  more  propriety,  with 
more  exadlnefs,  the  feelings  of  a  good  mind.  No 
man  feems  more  fenfible  of  the  immutable  obligation 
of  juftice  and  of  truth.  Yet  this  man,  in  his  tranfac- 
tions  with  his  bookfcUers,  with  the  very  men  to  whom 
he  was  immediately  indebted  for  his  affluence  and  his 
farne,  Vv^as  repeatedly,  nay  inceffantly,  guilty  of  the 
meaneft,  the  vileft  tricks.  V/hen  he  fold  a  work  for 
an  enormous  price  to  one  bookfcller,  (even  to  Cramer, 
whom  he  really  refpected,)  he  toT^k  care  that  a  furrep- 
titious  edition  ihould  appear  in  Holland,  almoft  at  the 
fame  moment.  Proof-meets  have  been  traced  from 
Ferney  to  Amflerdam.  V/hen  a  friend  of  Cramer's 
cxpoftulated  with  Voltaire  on  the  injuftice  of  this  con- 
duct, he  faid,  grinning,  Gh  le  bgn  Cramer — eh  hien — ;/ 


44  THE    SCHISMS    IN  CHAP.    I. 

ri' a  qus  d"  etre  du parti — he  may  take  a  fliarc — he  will 
not  give  me  a  livre  the  lefs  for  the  firft  piece  I  offer 
him.  Where  fliall  we  fee  more  tendernefs,  more  ho- 
nour, more  love  of  every  thing  that  is  good  and  fair, 
than  in  Diderot's  Fere  de  Famille? — Yet  this  man  did 
not  fcruple  to  fell  to  the  Emprefs  of  Ruffia  an  immenfc 
library,  which  he  did  not  poffefs,  for  an  enormous 
price,  having  got  her  promifc  that  it  fliould  remain  in 
his  poffcffion  in  Paris  during  his  life.  When  her  am- 
baffador  wanted  to  fee  it,  after  a  year  or  two's  pay- 
ments, and  the  vifitation  could  be  no  longer  ftaved  off, 
Diderot  was  obliged  to  fct  off  in  a  hurry,  and  run 
through  all  the  bookfellers  fhops  in  Germany,  to  help 
him  to  fill  his  empty  fhelves.  He  had  the  good  for- 
tune to  fave  appearances — but  the  trick  took  air,  be- 
caufe  he  had  been  niggardly  in  his  attention  to  the  am- 
baffador's  fecretary.  This,  however,  did  not  hmder 
him  from  honouring  his  Imperid  pupil  with  a  vifit. 
He  cxpedled  adoration,  as  the  light  of  the  world,  and 
was  indeed  received  by  the  Ruffian  courtiers  with  all 
the  childifh  fondnefs  that  they  feel  for  every  Parifian 
mode.  But  they  did  not  underiland  him,  and  as  he 
did  not  like  to  lofe  money  at  play,  they  did  not  long 
court  his  company.  He  found  his  pupil  too  clear 
lighted.  Ces  pbilojcphesy  faid  flie,  font  beauXy  vus  de 
loin ;  mats  de  plus  pres^  le  diamant  par  ait  cryfial.  He 
had  contrived  a  poor  flory,  by  which  he  hoped  to  get 
his  daughter  married  in  parade,  and  portioned  by  her 
Majefly' — but  it  was  feen  through,  and  he  was  difap- 
pointed. 

When  we  fee  the  inefficacy  of  this  refined  humanity 
on  thele  two  apoilles  of  philofophical  virtue,  we  fee 
ground  for  doubting  of  the  propriety  and  expediency 
of  trufting  entirely  to  it  for  the  peace  and  happinefs  of 
3  ftate,  and  we  fliould  be  on  our  guard  when  we  liften 
to  the  florid  fpecchcs  of  the  Brother  Orator,  and  his 

congra- 


CHAP.  I.  FREE    MASONRY.  45 

congratulations  on  the  emancipation  from  fuperRition 
and  opprefTion,  which  will  in  a  fhorc  time  be  efFeflu- 
ated  by  the  Chevaliers  Bienfaijants^  the  PhilaktheSj  or 
any  other  fed:  of  cofmo-poiitical  Brethren. 

I  do  not  mean  by  all  this  to  maintain,  that  the  Ma- 
fon  Lodges  were  the  fole  corrupters  of  the  public  mind 
in  France. — -No. — In  all  nations  that  have  made  much 
progrefs  in  cultivation,  there  is  a  great  tendency  to 
corruption,  and  it  requires  all  the  vigilance  and  exer- 
tions of  magiftrates,  and  of  moral  infiru(5tors,  to  pre- 
vent the  fpreading  of  licentious  principles  and  maxims 
of  condudl.  They  arife  naturally  of  themfelves,  as 
weeds  in  a  rich  foil ;  and,  like  weeds,  they  are  perni- 
cious, only  becaufe  they  are,  where  they  fhould  not 
be,  in  a  cultivated  field.  Virtue  is  the  cultivation  of 
the  human  foul,  and  not  the  mere  pofleffion  of  good 
difpofitions ;  all  men  have  thefe  in  fome  degree,  and 
pccafionally  exhibit  them.  But  virtue  fuppofes  exer- 
tion j  and,  as  the  hufbandman  muft  be  incited  to  his 
laborious  tafl<:  by  fome  cogent  motive,  fo  muft  man  be 
prompted  to  that  exertion  which  is  neceffary  on  the 
part  of  every  individual  for  the  very  exiftence  of  a 
great  fociety :  For  man  is  indolent,  and  he  is  luxuri- 
ous y  he  willies  for  enjoyment,  and  this  with  little  trou- 
ble. The  lefs  fortunate  envy  the  enjoyments  of  others, 
and  repine  at  their  own  inability  to  obtain  the  like. 
They  fee  the  idle  in  afHuence.  Few,  even  of  good 
men,  have  the  candour,  nay,  I  may  call  it  the  wifdom, 
to  think  on  the  activity  and  the  labour  which  had  pro- 
cured thofe  comforts  to  the  rich  or  to  their  anceftors; 
and  to  believe  that  they  are  idle  only  becaufe  they  are 
wealthy,  but  would  be  adive  if  they  were  needy. — 
Such  fpontaneous  reflexions  cannot  be  expeded  in  per- 
fons  who  are  engaged  in  unceafmg  labour,  to  procure 
a  very  moderate  fhare  (in  their  eftimation  at  leaft)  of 
the  comforts  of  life.     Yet  fuch  reflexions  would,  in 

the 


46  THE   SCHISMS  IN  CHAP.  I. 

the  main,  be  juft,  and  furely  they  v/ould  greatly  tend 
to  quiet  the  minds  of  the  iinfuccersful. 

This  excellent  purpofe  may  be  greatly  forwarded 
by  a  national  eftablifnment  for  moral  inftruftion  and 
admonition  -,  and  if  the  public  inftrudlors  fliould  add 
all  the  motives  to  virtuous  modrraiion  which  are  fug- 
gelled  by  the  confiderations  of  genuine  religion,  every 
advice  would  have  a  tenfold  influence.  Religious  and 
moral  inftruftions  are  therefore,  in  their  own  nature, 
unequivocal  fupports  to  that  moderate  exertion  of  the 
authority  arifmg  from  civil  fubordination,  which  the 
moft  refined  philanthropill  or  cofmo- polite  acknow- 
ledges to  be  neceilary  for  tlie  very  exiilence  of  a  great 
and  cultivated  fociety.  I  have  never  fcen  a  fcheme  of 
Utopian  happinefs  that  did  not  contain  fome  fyftem  of 
education,  and  I  cannot  conceive  any  fyftem  of  edu- 
cation of  which  moral  in(lru(5lion  is  not  a  principal 
part.  Such  ellabii{liments  are  diftates  of  nature,  and 
obtrude  themfclves  on  the  mind  of  every  perfon  who 
begins  to  form  plans  of  civil  union.  And  in  all  exift- 
ing  focieties  they  have  indeed  been  formed,  and  are 
confidercd  as  the  greatcft  correftor  and  ibother  of  thofe 
difcontents  that  are  unavoidable  in  the  minds  of  the 
unfuccefsful  and  the  unfortunate.  The  magiilrate, 
therefore,  whcfe  profelTional  habits  lead  him  frequently 
to  exert  himfelf  for  the  maintenance  of  public  peace, 
cannot  but  fee  the  advantages  of  fuch  flated  remem- 
brancers of  our  duty.  He  will  therefore  fupport  and 
cherifli  this  public  cftabliihrncnt,  which  fo  evidently 
affifts  him  in  his  beneficent  and  important  labours. 

But  all  the  evils  of  fociety  do  not  fpring  from  the 
difcontents  and  the  vices  of  the  poor.  The  rich  come 
in  for  a  large  and  a  confpicuous  fliare.  They  fre- 
quently abufe  their  advantages.  Pride  and  haughty 
behaviour  on  their  part  rankle  in  the  breads,  and  af- 
fed  the  tempers  of  their   inferiors,  already  fretted  by 

the 


CHAP.    I.  FREE    MASONRY.  47 

the  hardfhips  of  their  own  condition.  The  rich  alfo 
are  luxurious  ;  and  are  often  needy.  Grafping  at  every 
mean  of  gratification,  they  are  inattentive  to  the  rights 
of  inferiors  whom  they  defpife,  and,  defpifing,  opprefs. 
Perhaps  their  own  fuperiority  has  been  acquired  by  in- 
juftice.  Perliaps  mofl:  fovcreignties  have  been  acquired 
by  cpprefTion.  Princes  and  Rulers  are  but  men  ;  as 
luch,  they  abufe  many  of  their  grcateit  bleflings.  Ob- 
ferving  that  religious  hopes  make  the  good  refigned 
under  the  hardfhips  of  the  prefcnt  fcene,  and  that  its 
terrors  frequently  reflrain  the  bad  j  they  avail  them- 
fclves  of  thefe  obfervations,  and  fupport  religion  as  an 
engine  of  Hate,  and  a  mean  of  their  own  fecurity.  But 
they  are  not  contented  v^'ith  its  real  advantages  ;  and 
they  are  much  more  afiaid  of  the  refentment  and  the 
crimes  of  the  offended  profligate,  than  of  the  murmurs 
of  tjie  fufFcring  worthy.  Therefore  they  encourage 
fuperilition,  and  call  to  their  aid  the  vices  of  the  prieft- 
hood.  The  priefts  are  men  of  like  pafTions  as  other 
men,  and  it  is  no  ground  of  peculiar  blame  that  they 
alfo  frequently  yield  to  the  temptations  of  their  fitua- 
tion.  They  arc  encouraged  to  the  indulgence  of  the 
love  of  influence  natural  to  all  men,  and  they  heap  ter- 
ror upon  terror,  to  fubdue  the  minds  of  men,  and  dark- 
en their  undcrftandings.  Thus  the  mofl  honourable  of 
all  employments,  the  mOrai  inflrudlion  of  theftate,  is 
degraded  to  a  vile  trade,  and  is  pra6lifed  with  all  the 
deceit  and  rapacity  of  any  other  trade ;  and  religion, 
from  being  the  honour  and  the  fafcguard  of  nation,  be- 
comes its  grcated  difgrace  and  curfe. 

When  a  nation  has  fallen  into  this  lamentable  ftate, 
it  is  extremely  difHcuk  to  reform.  Although  nothing 
would  fo  immediately  and  lb  completely  remove  all 
ground  of  complaint,  as  the  re-eftablidiing  private 
virtue,  this  is  of  all  others  the  leafb  likely  to  be  adopt- 
ed.    The  really  worrhy,  v/ho  fee  the  mifchief  where  it 

adually 


4?  THE    SCHISMS    fN  CHAP.  1*. 

afbually  is,  but  who  view  tliis  life  as  the  fchool  of  im- 
provement, and  know  that  man  is  to  be  made  pcrfcdl 
through  fuffering,  are  the  lall  perfons  to  complain. 
The  worthlefs  are  the  moft  difcontented,  the  moft 
noify  in  their  complaints,  and  the  leaft  fcrupulous  about 
the  means  of  redrels.  Not  to  improve  the  nation,  but 
to  advance  themfclves,  they  turn  the  attention  to  the 
abufes  of  power  and  influence.  And  they  begin  their 
attack  where  they  think  the  place  moftdefcncelefs,  and 
where  perhaps  they  expeft  afllftance  from  a  difcon- 
tented garrifon.  They  attack  fuperftition,  and  are 
not  at  all  folicitous  that  true  religion  fhall  not  fuffer 
along  with  it.  It  is  not  perhaps,  with  any  direct  in- 
tention to  ruin  the  ftate,  but  merely  to  obtain  indul- 
gence for  thcmfelves  and  the  co-operation  of  the 
wealthy.  They  expecl  to  be  lifirened  to  by  many  who 
wifh  for  the  fame  indulgence  ;  and  thus  it  is  that  reli- 
gious free-thinking  is  generally  the  firft  ftep  of  anarchy 
and  revolution.  For  in  a  corrupted  ftate,  perfons  of 
all  ranks  have  the  fame  licentious  wifhes,  and  if  fu- 
perditious  fear  be  really  an  ingredient  of  the  human 
mind,  it  requires  {o\x\<t  Jlriiggle  to  fhake  it  off.  No- 
thing is  fo  efFe(5tual  as  mutual  encouragement,  and 
therefore  all  join  againfl  prieft-craft  j  even  the  rulers 
forget  their  interefb,  which  fhould  lead  them  to  fupporc 
it.  In  fuch  a  ftate,  the  pure  morality  of  true  religion 
vanifhes  from  the  fight.  There  is  commonly  no  re- 
mains of  it  in  the  religion  of  the  nation,  and  therefore 
all  o;oes  tog;ether. 

Perhaps  there  never  was  a  nation  where  all  thcfe  co- 
operating caufes  had  acquired  greater  ftrength  than  in 
France.  OpprefTions  of  ail  kinds  v/ere  at  a  height.  The 
luxuries  of  life  were  enjoyed  exclufivcly  by  the  upper 
clafTes,  and  this  in  the  highefl:  degree  of  refinement ; 
fo  that  the  defires  of  the  reit  were  whetted  to  the  utmoft. 
Religion  appeared  in  its  worft  form,  and  feemed  cal- 

culatedr 


CHAP.  I.  FREE    MASONRY.  49 

culatcd  folely  for  procuring  eftabllfhments  for  the 
younger  fons  of  the  infoicnn  and  ufelefs  noblelfe.  The 
morals  of  the  higher  orders  of  the  clergy  and  of  the 
laity  were  equally  corrupred.  Thoufands  of  literary 
men  were  excluded  by  their  fbacion  from  all  hopes  of 
advancement  to  the  more  refpeftable  offices  in  the 
church.  Thcfe  vented  their  difcontcnts  as  far  as  there 
was  fafety,  and  were  encouraged  by  many  of  the  upper 
clafies,  who  joined  them  intlieir  fatires  on  thepriefthood. 
The  clergy  oppofed  them,  it  is  true,  but  feebly,  be- 
caufe  they  could  not  fupporc  their  oppoficion  by  ex- 
amples of  their  own  virtuous  behaviour,  but  were  al- 
ways obliged  to  liave  recourfe  to  the  power  of  the 
church,  the  very  objed:  of  hatred  and  difgull.  The 
whole  nation  became  iniidel ;  and  when  in  a  few  infran- 
ces  a  worthy  Cure  urtercd  the  fmall  ftill  voice  of  true 
religion,  it  was  not  heard  amidil  the  general  noife  of 
fatire  and  reproach.  The  mifconduft  of  adminiftra- 
tion,  and  the  abufc  of  the  public  treafures,  were  every 
day  growing  more  impudent  and  glaring,  and  expofed 
the  government  to  continual  criticifm.  But  it  was  ftili, 
too  powerful  to  fuffer  this  to  proceed  to  extremities  ; 
while  therefore  infidelity  and  loofe  fentiments  of  mo- 
rality palTed  unpunillied,  it  was  fiiill  very  hazardous  ta 
publifh  any  thing  againll:  the  ftafe.  It  v^as  in  this  rcf- 
ped,  chiefly,  that  the  Mafon  Lodges  contributed  to 
the  diiTeraination  of  dangerous  opinions,  and  they  were 
employed  for  this  purpofe  ail  over  the  kingdom.  This 
is  not  an  affertion  hazarded  merely  on  account  of  its- 
probability.  Abundant  proof  will  appear  by  and  by, 
that  the  moft  turbulent  characters  in  the  nation  fre- 
quented the  Lodges.  We  cannot  doubt,  but  that  un- 
der this  covei't  they  indulged  their  factious  difpofitions  ; 
ray,  we  fiiall  find  the  grcareft  part  of  t'le  Lodo-es  of 
France,  converted,  in  the  courfe  of  a  very  few  weeks, 
into  correfponding  political  focieties, 

'^  Euc 


5©  THE    SCHISMS    IN  CHAP.   I. 

But  it  is  now  time  to  turn  our  eyes  to  the  progrefs  of 
Free  Mafonry  in  Germany  and  the  north  of  Europe  ; 
there  it  took  a  more  ferious  turn.  Free  Mafonry  was 
imported  into  Germany  fomewhat  later  than  into 
France.  The  fir  ft  German  Lodge  that  wc  have  any 
account  of  is  that  at  Cologne,  eredled  in  17  i6,  but 
very  foon  fupprelfed.  Before  the  year  1725  there 
were  many,  both  in  Proteftant  and  Catholic  Germa- 
ny. Thofe  of  Wetzlar,  Frankfurt  on  the  Mayne, 
Brunfwick,  and  Flamburg,  are  the  oldeft,  and  their 
priority  is  doubtful.  All  of  them  received  their  inlti- 
tution  from  England,  and  had  patents  from  a  mother 
Lodge  in  London.  All  feem  to  have  got  the  myftery 
through  the  jamc  channel,  the  baniflied  friends  of  the 
Stuart  family.  Many  of  thcfc  were  Catholics,  and 
entered  into  the  fcrvice  of  Auftria  and  the  Catholic 
princes. 

The  true  hofpitaliry,  that  is  no  where  more  confpi- 
cuous  than   in   the   charader  of  the   Germans,    made 
this  inftitution  a  moft  agreeable   and  ufeful  palfport  to 
thefe  G;entlemen;  and  as  manv  of  them  v/ere  in  mili- 
tary  Rations,  and  in  garrilon,  they  found  it  a  very  eafy 
matter    to    fet  up  Lodges   in  all  parts   of  Germany. 
Thefe  aiFordcd  a  very  agreeable  pailime  to  the  otBcers, 
who  had  little   to  occupy  them,  and  were  already  ac- 
cultomed  to  a  fubordination  which  did  not  aftetft  their 
vanitv  on  account  of  family  dircinftions.     As  the  En- 
fign  and  the  General  were  equally   gentlemen,   the  al- 
legory or  play  of  univcrfal   Brotherhood   was   neither 
novel  nor  difo-uitinsi;.     Free  Mafonry  was  then   of  the 
.fimpleft  form,  confiding  of  the  three  degrees  of  Appren- 
tice, Fellow-craft,  and  Mailer.     It  is  remarkable,  that 
the  Germans  had  been  lonQ;accuicomed  to  the  word,  the 
fign,  and   the  gripe   of  the  Mafons,    and   fome   other 
l.andicraft    trades.     In  many  parts  of  Germany  there 
\vas  a  didinclion    of  operative    Mafons    into   Wort- 

Maurcrs 


CHAP.   I.  FREE    MASONRY.  5I 

Maiircrs  and  Schrifc-Maurcrs.  The  Wort-Maurcrs 
had  no  other  proof  to  give  of  their  having  been  regu- 
larly brought  up  to  the  trade  of  builders,  but  the  word 
and  figns  ;  the  Schrift-Maurcrs  had  written  indentures 
to  flicw.  There  are  extant  and  in  force,  borough- 
laws,  enjoining  the  Mafters  of  Mafons  to  give  em- 
ployment to  journeymen  v/ho  had  the  proper  words 
and  fign.  In  particular  it  appears,  that  fome  cities 
had  more  extenfive  privileges  in  this  refpedt  than 
others.  The  word  given  at  Wetzlar,  the  feat  of  the 
great  council  of  revifion  for  the  empire,  entitled  the 
poilcffor  to  work  over  the  whole  empire.  We  may 
infer  from  the  procefles  and  decifions  in  fome  of  thofc 
municipal  courts,  that  a  mafter  gave  a  word  and  token 
for  each  year's  progrefs  of  his  apprentice.  He  gave 
the  word  of  the  incorporated  Imperial  city  or  borough 
on  which  he  depended,  and  alfo  a  word  peculiar  to 
himfclf,  by  which  all  his  own  pupils  could  recognife 
each  other.  This  mxode  of  recognifance  was  probably 
the  only  document  of  education  in  old  times,  while 
writing  was  confined  to  a  very  fmall  part  of  the  com- 
munity. When  we  refieft  on  the  nature  of  the  Ger- 
man  empire,  a  confederation  of  fmall  independent 
Hates,  v/e  fee  that  this  profcfiion  cannot  keep  pace 
v;ith  the  other  mechanic  arts,  unlefs  its  praftitioners 
are  invefted  v^'ith  greater  privilc-gtrs  than  others.  Their 
great  works  exceed  the  ftrengch  of  the  immediate 
neighbourhood,  and  the  workmen  mufc  be  brought 
together  from  a  diilance.  Their  aiTociation  muil  there- 
fore be  more  cared  for  by  the  public* 

When  l^nglifli  Free  Mafonry  was  carried  into  Ger- 
many, it   was  hofpitably  received.     It  required  little 

efibrt 


*  Note.     The  Wort  or  Griifs-Maurer  were  aboliHied  by  an  Im- 
perial edid  in  173  J,  and  r.o-,e  were  intitled  to  the  privileges  of  th« 

corporation  but  fuch  as  coa!d  fhew  writu'u  iadeiitures. 


52  THE    SCHISMS    IINT  CHAP.  I. 

effbrt  to  give  it  refpeflability,  and  to  make  it  the  oc- 
cupation of  a  gentleman,  and  its  fecrels  and  mylleries 
were  not  fucli  novelties  as  in  France.  Ic  fprcad  ra- 
pidly, and  the  fimple  topic  of  Brotherly  love  was  luf- 
ficient  for  recommending  it  to  the  honeft  and  hofpita- 
ble  Germans.  But  it  foon  took  a  very  different  turn. 
The  German  character  is  the  very  oppofite  of  frivo- 
lity. It  tends  to  fcrioufncfs,  and  requires  ferious  oc- 
cupation. The  Germans  are  eminent  for  their  turn 
for  inveftigation .;  and  perhaps  they  indulge  this  to 
excels.  We  call  them  plodding  and  dull,  becaufe  we 
have  little  reliih  for  enquiry  for  its  own  fake.  But 
this  is  furely  the  occupation  of  a  rational  nature,  and 
deferves  any  name  but  ftupidity.  At  the  fame  time  it 
mud  be  acknowledged,  that  the  fpirit  of  enquiry  re- 
quires regulation  as  m.uch  as  any  propenfity  of  the  hu- 
man mind.  But  it  appears  that  the  Germans  are  not 
nice  in  their  choice  of  their  objedls  -,  it  appears  that 
fingularity,  and  wonder,  and  difnculty  of  refearch,  are 
to  them  irrefillible  recommendations  and  incitements. 
They  have  always  exhibited  a  ftrong  predileftion  for 
every  thing  that  is  wonderful,  or  folemn,  or  terrible  j 
and  in  fpite  of  the  great  progrefs  which  m.en  have 
made  in  the  courfe  of  thefe  two  laft  centuries,  in 
the  knowledge  of  nature,  a  progrefs  too  in  which  we 
Ihould  be  very  unjuft  if  we  did  not  acknowledge  that 
the  Germans  have  been  generally  in  t'le  forcmoft  ranks, 
the  grofs  abfurdities  of  magic,  exorcifm,  witchcrafr, 
fortune-telling,  tranfmutation  or  metals,  and  univerial 
medicine,  have  always  had  their  zealous  partizans,  who 
have  liftened  with  greedy  ears  to  tiic  nonfenfe  and  jar- 
gon of  fanatics  and  cheats ;  and  though  they  every 
day  faw  examples  of  many  vrho  had  been  ruined  or 
rendered  ridiculous  by  their  credulity,  every  new  pre- 
tender to  fecrets  found  numbers  ready  to  lillen  to  him, 
and  to  run  over  the  'ucvx  courfe. 

Free 


CHAP.  I.  FREE    MASONRY.  ^J 

Free  Mafonry,  profeffing  myfterics,  inflantly  roufed 
all  thefe  people,  and  the  Lodges  appeared  to  the  ad- 
venturers who  wanted  to  profit   by  the  enthufiafm  or 
thc   avarice   of  their  dupes,  the   fittefl  places  in  the 
world  for  the  fcene  of  their  operations.     The  Rofy- 
crucians  were  the  firfl:  who  availed  themfelves  of  the 
opportunity.     This  was  not  the  Society  which  had  ap- 
peared formerly  under  that  name,  and  was  now  extinft, 
but  a  fet  of  Alchymifts,  pretenders  to  the  tranfmuta- 
tion  of  metals   and  the  univerfal  medicine,   who,  the 
better  to  inveigle  their  votaries,  had  mixed  with  their 
own  tricks  a  good  deal  of  the  abfurd  fuperftitions  of 
that  fe6t,  in  order  to  give  a  greater  air  of  mydery  to 
the  whole,  to  protraft  the  time  of  inflruflion,  and  to 
afford   more   room  for  evafions,   by  making  fo  many 
difiicult  conditions  necellary  for  perfccflin*:^  the  grand 
work,  that  the  unfortunace  gull,  who  had  thrown  away 
his  time  and  his  money,  might  believe  that  the  failure 
was  owing  to  his  ov/n  incapacity  or  unntnefs  for  being 
the  pofTeiibr  of  zh^  grand  fecret.     Thefe  cheats  found 
it  convenient  to  make  Mafonry  one  of  their  conditions, 
and  by  a  fmall  degree  of  art,   perfuadcd  their  pupils 
that  they  were   the   only  true  Mafons.     Thefe  Rofy- 
crucian  Lodges  were  foon  eftabliilied,  and  became  nu-, 
mcrous,  becaufe  their  myfberies  were  addreffed,  both 
to  the    curlofity,    the   fcnfuality,    and   the  avarice  of 
men.     They  became  a  very  formidable  band,  adopt- 
ing the  conftitution  of  the  Jefuits,  dividing  the  Frater- 
nity into  circles,  each  under  the  management  of  its 
own  fuperior,  knov/n  to  the  prefidenc,  but  unknown  to 
the  individuals  of  the  Lodges.     Thefe  fuperiors  were 
connefled  with  each   other  in   a  way  known  only  to 
themfelves,  and   the   whole  was   under   one  General. 
At  leaft  this  is  the  account  which  they  wilTi  to  be  be- 
lieved.    Ifitbejuft,  nothing  but  the  abfurdity  of  the 
ollenfible  motives  of  their  occupations  could  have  pre- 
vented 


54  THE  SCHISMS  IN  CHAP.   I. 

vented  this  combination  from  carrying  on  Jcliemcs  big 
wicli  hazard  to  the  peace  of  the  world.  But  the  Ro'- 
fycrucian  Lodges  have  always  been  confidered  by  otiier 
Free  Mafons  as  bad  Societies,  and  as  grols  fchilmatics. 
This  did  not  hinucr,  however,  their  alchymical  and 
medical  fecrcts  from  being  frequently  introduced  into 
the  Lodges  of  fimpie  Free  Mafonry  -,  and  in  like  man- 
ner, exorcifm,  or  ghoft-raifmg,  magic,  and  other 
grofs  fuperftitions,  were  often  held  out  in  their  meet- 
ings as  attainable  myfteries,  which  would  be  immenfe 
acquifitions  to  the  Fraternity,  without  any  neccliity  of 
admittino;  along  with  tliem  the  religious  deliriums  of 
the  Rofycrucians, 

In  1743,  Baron  Hunde,  a  gentleman  of  honourable 
charafter  and  independent  fortune,  was  in  Paris,  where 
he  faid  he  had  got  acquainted  with  the  Earl  of  Kilmar- 
nock and  fome  other  gentlemen  who  were  about  the 
Pretender,  and  learned  from  them  that  they  had  fome 
wonderful  fecrets  in  their  Lodges.  He  was  admitted, 
through  the  medium  of  that  nobleman,  and  of  a  Lord 
Cliiford,  and  his  Mafonic  patent  was  figned  Gecrge 
(faid  to  be  the  fignature  of  Kilmarnock).  Hunde 
had  attached  himfelf  to  the  fortunes  of  the  Pretender, 
in  hopes  (as  he  fays  himfelf)  of  rifing  in  the  world 
under  his  protection.  The  mighty  fecret  was  this. 
*■  Vvhen  the  Order  of  Knights  Templars  was  abolilh- 
"  ed  by  Philip  the  Fair,  and  cruelly  perfecuted,  fome . 
'*  v.'orthy  perfons  efcaped,  and  took  refuge  in  the 
"  Highlands  of  Scotland,  where  they  concealed  them- 
*'  felves  in  caves.  Thefe  perfons  pofTefFed  the  true 
*^  fecrets  of  Mafonry,  which  had  always  been  in  that 
Order,  having  been  acquired  by  the  Knights,  du- 
ring their  fervices  in  the  Eaft,  from  ;i":e  pilgrims 
whom  they  occafionally  prdte6led  or  delivered.  The 
*'  Chevaliers  de  la  Rcfe-Croix  continued  10  h.ave  the 
*'  fame  duties   as  formerly,    though   robbed   or  their 

*'  cmolu- 


CHAP.   I.  FREE  MASONRY.  55 

"  emoluments.  In  fine,  every  true  Mafon  is  a  Knight 
"  Templar."  It  is  very  true  that  a  clever  fancy  can 
accommodate  the  ritual  of  reception  of  the  Chevalier  de 
rEpee,  &c.  to  fomething  like  the  inilitution  of  the 
Knights  Templars,  and  perhaps  this  explanation  of 
young  Zerobabel's  pilgrimage,  and  of  the  rebuilding 
of  the  Temple  by  Ezra,  is  the  mod  fignificant  expla- 
nation that  has  been  given  of  the  meagre  lymbois  of 
Free  Mafonry. 

When  Baron  Hunde  returned  to  Germany,  he  ex- 
hibited to  fome  fiiends  his  extenfive  powers  for  pro- 
pagating this  fyfccm  of  Mafonry,  and  made  a  (tw 
Knights.  But  he  was  not  very  adcive.  Probably  the 
failure  of  the  Pretender's  attempt  to  recover  the  throne 
of  his  ancefbors  had  put  an  end  to  Hunde's  hopes  of 
making  a  figure.  In  the  mean  time  Free  Mafonry 
v/as  cultivated  with  zeal  in  Germany,  and  many  ad- 
venturers found  their  advantage  in  fupporcing  particu- 
lar fchifms. 

But  in  1756,  or  1757,  a  complete  revolution  took 
place.  The  French  officers  who  were  prifoners  at 
large  in  Berlin,  undertook,  with  the  affurance  peculiar 
to  their  nation,  to  initruft  the  fimple  Germans  in  every 
thing  that  embellifhes  fociety.  They  faid,  that  the 
homefpun  Free  Mafonry,  which  had  been  imported 
from  England,  was  fit  only  for  the  unpolifhed  niinds 
of  the  Bricifli ;  but  that  in  France  it  had  grown  into 
an  elegant  fyftem,  fit  for  the  profefuon  of  Gentlemen. 
Nay,  they  laid,  that  the  Engliih  were  ignorant  of  true 
Mafonry,  and  polleiled  nothing  but  the  introduction 
to  it ;  and  even  this  was  not  underftood  by  them. 
When  the  ribbands  and  ftars,  with  which  the  French 
had  ornamented  the  Order,  v/ere  fnown  to  the  Ger- 
mans, they  could  not  refill:  the  enchantment.  A  Mr. 
Rofa,  a  French  commiiTary,  brought  from  Paris  a 
complete  waggon  load  of  Mafonic  ornaments,  which 

v/ere 


S6  THE     SCHISMS     IN  CHAP.   I. 

were  all  diftributed  before  it  had  reached  Berlin,  and 
he  was  obliged  to  order  another,  to  furnilli  the  Lodge's 
of  that  city.     It  became  for  a  while  a  moft  profitable 
bufinefs  to  many  French  officers  and  commifTaries  dif- 
perfcd  over  Germany,  having  little  elfe  to  do.     Every 
body  gaped   for   in{lrii6lion,  and   thcfe   kind  teachers 
were  always  ready  to  bellow  it.     In  half  a  year  Free 
Mafonry  underwent   a   complete  revolution   all   over 
Germany,  and  Chevaliers  multiplied  without  number. 
The  Rofaic  fyftem  was.  a  gofpci  to  the   Mafons,  and 
the  poor  Britifh  fyftem   was    defpifed.     But   the  new- 
Lodges  of  Berlin,  as  they  had  been  the  teachers  of  the 
whole  empire,  wanted  rdfo  to  be  the  governors,  and 
infilled  on   complete   fubjedlion   from   all  the   others. 
This  ftartled  the  Free  M.ifons  at  a  diftance,  and  awa- 
kened them  from  their  golden  dreams.     Now  began  a 
ftruggle   for  dominion  and   for  independency.      This 
made  the  old  Lodges  think  a  little  about  the  whole 
affair.     The  refult  of  this   was  a  counter  revolution. 
Though  no  m^an  could  pretend  that  he  underftood  the 
true  meaning  of  Free  Mafonry,  its  origin,  its  hiftory, 
or  its  real  aim,  all  favv  that  the  interpretations  of  their 
hieroglyphics,  and  the  rituals  of  the  new  degrees  im- 
ported from   France,  were   quite  gratuitous.     It  ap- 
peared, therefore, -that  the  fafcft  thing  for  them  was 
an  appeal  to  the  birth-place  of  Mafonry.     They  fenr 
to  London  for  inilrudions.     There  they  learned,   that 
nothing  was  acknowledged  for  genuine  unfophifticated 
Mafonry  but  the  three  degrees;  and  that  the  mother 
Lodge   of  London   alone  could,   by  her   inflrutStions, 
prevent  the  mofl  dangerous  fchifms  and  innovations. 
Many  Lodges,  therefore,  applied  for  patents  and  in- 
ftruftions.     Patents  were   eafily  made  out,  and   mcfl 
willingly  fent  to  the  zealous  Brethren;   and  thej'e  were 
thankfully  received  and  p.^.id  for.     But  infcruchion  was 
not  fo  eafy  a  matter.     Ar  that  time  v.e  had  nothing 

but 


CHAP.  I.  FREE    MASONRY.  '  57 

but  the  book  of  conftitutions,  drawn  up  about  1720, 
by  Anderfon  and  Defaguilliers,  two  perfons  of  little 
education,  and  of  low  manners,  who  had  aimed  at  little 
more  than  making  a  pretext,  not  altogether  contemptible, 
for  a  convivial  meeting.  This,  however,  v/as  receiv- 
ed with  refpedt.  We  are  apt  to  fmile  at  grave  men's 
being  fatistied  with  fuch  coarfe  and  fcanty  fare.  But 
it  was  of  ufe,  merely  becaufe  it  gave  an  oftenfible  rea- 
fonfor  relifting  thedefpotifm  of  the  Lodges  of  Berlin. 
Several  refpedtable  Lodges,  particularly  that  of  Frank- 
fort on  the  Maync,  that  of  Brunfwick,  that  of  Wetz- 
lar,  and  the  Royal  York  of  Berlin,  refolutely  adhered 
to  the  Englifh  fyftem,  and  denied  themfelves  all  the 
enjoyment  of  the  French  degrees,  rather  than  acknow- 
ledge the  fupremacy  of  the  Rofaic  Lodges  of  Berlin. 

About  the  year  1764  a  new  revolution  took  place. 
An  adventurer,  who  called  himfelf  Johnfon,  and  pafled 
himfelf  for  an  Englifhman,  but  who  was  really  a  Ger- 
man or  Bohemian  named  Leucht,  faid  that  he  was  am- 
baifadorfrom  the  Chapter  of  Knights  Templars  at  Old 
Aberdeen  in  Scotland,  fcnt  to  teach  the  Germans  what 
■was  true  Mafonry.  He  pretended  to  tranfmute  metals, 
and  fome  of  the  Brethren  declared  that  they  had  feen 
him  do  it  repeatedly.  This  reached  Baron  Hunde, 
and  brought  back  all  his  former  enthufiafm.  There  is 
fomething  very  dark  in  this  part  of  the  hiftory  ;  for  in 
a  little  Johnfon  told  his  partifans  that  the  only  point  he 
had  to  inform  them  of  v/as,  that  Baron  Hunde  was  the 
Grand  Mafter  of  the  7th  province  of  Mafonry,  which 
included  the  whole  of  Germany,  and  the  royal  do- 
minions of  Prufiia.  He  Iliowed  them  a  map  of  the  Ma- 
fonic  Empire  arranged  into  provinces,  each  of  which 
had  diftinguifhing  emblems.  Thefe  are  all  taken  from 
an  old  forgotten  and  infignificant  book,  Typotii  Symbola 
Divina  et Humana y  publifhed  in'"i6oi.  There  is  not 
the  leafl:  trace  in  this  book  either  of  Mafonry  of  Tem- 

H         ^  plars. 


fS  THE    SCHISMS    IN  CHA?.  I. 

piars,  and  the  emblems  are  taken  out  without  the 
fmalicft  ground  of  fcledlion.  Some  inconfiftcncy  with 
the  former  magnificent  promifes  of  Johnfon  ftartled 
them  at  firfu,  but  they  acquiefced  and  fubmitted  to 
Baron  Hunde  as  Grand  Maimer  of  Germany.  Soon  af- 
ter Johnfon  turned  out  to  be  a  cheat,  cfcaped,  was  ta- 
ken, and  put  in  prifon,  ^'here  he  died.  Yet  thisfeems 
not  to  have  ruined  the  credit  of  Baron  Hunde.  He 
erefted  Lodges,  gave  a  few  finiple  inftru6lions,  all  in 
the  fydem  of  Englifh  Mafonry,  and  prom.ifed,  that 
when  they  had  approved  themlclves  as  good  Mafons, 
he  would  then  impart  the  mighty  fecrct.  After  two 
or  three  years  of  noviciate,  a  convention  was  held  at 
Altenberg  ;  and  he  told  them  that  his  whole  fecret  was, 
that  every  true  Alafon  was  a  Knight  Templar.  They 
were  aftoniflied,  and  difappointed  5  for  they  expe6led 
in  general  that  he  would  teach  them  the  philofopher's 
ftone,  or  ghoft-raifing,  or  magic.  After  much  dif- 
content,  falling  out,  and  difpute,  many  Lodges  united 
in  this  fyftcm,  made  fomewhat  moderate  and  palatable, 
under  the  name  of  the  Strict  Disciplinarians, 
Strickten  Obfcrvanz.  It  was  acceptable  to  many,  be- 
caufc  they  infifled  that  they  were  really  Knights,  pro- 
perly confecrated,  though  without  temporalities  3  and 
they  fcriouHy  ict  themfclves  about  forming  afund  which 
fhould  fecure  the  Order  in  a  landed  property  and  re- 
venue, which  would  give  them  a  refpeftable  civil  ex- 
iftence.  Hunde  declared  that  his  whole  cftate  fhould 
devolve  on  the  Order.  But  the  vexations  v/hich  he  af- 
terwards met  with,  and  his  falling  in  love  with  a  lady 
who  prevailed  on  him  to  become  Roman  Catholic, 
made  him  alter  his  intention.  The  Order  went  on, 
however,  and  acquired  confiderable  credit  by  the  feri- 
ous  regularity  of  their  proceedings  ;  and,  although  in 
the  mean  time  a  new  apoiUe  of  Myfceries,  a  Dr.  Zin- 
zendorff,  one  of  the  ^tr'i3  Obferi;a}iz,  introduced  a  nevv. 

fyflem. 


€HAF.    I.  FREE    MASONRY.  59 

fyftem,  which  he  faid  was  from  Sweden,  didinguill-ied 
by  fome  of  the  myftical  do6lrines  of  the  Svvedenborgh 
fed,  and  though  the  fyftem obtained  the  Royal  patron- 
age, and  a  National  Lodge  was  eftabliflied  at  Berlin 
by  patent,  ftill  the  Teni-pelorden^  or  Orden  des  StritJcn 
ObfervCiUZj  continued  to  be  very  refpcftable.  The 
German  gentry  were  better  pleafcd  witha  Grand  Mil- 
ter of  their  own  choofing,  than  with  any  impoied  on 
them  by  authority. 

During  this  Rate  of  things,  one  Stark,  a  Protedant 
divine,  well  known  in  Germany  by  his  writings,  made 
another  trial  of  public  faith.  One  Gug®mos,  (a  pri- 
vate gentleman,  but  who  would  pafs  for  fon  to  a  King 
of  Cyprus),  and  one  Schropfer,  keeper  of  a  coffce- 
houfe  at  Nuremberg,  drew  crowds  of  Free  Mafons 
around  them,  to  learn  ghoft-raifing,  exorcifm,  and  al- 
•chymy.  Numbers  came  from  a  great  diiiance  to 
Weifbad  to  fee  and  learn  thcfe  myflerics,  and  Free  Ma- 
fonry  was  on  the  point  of  another  revolution.  Dr. 
Stark  was  an  adept  in  all  thefe  things,  and  liadcoiitended 
with  Caglioftroin  Courland  for  the  palmof  fup-riority. 
He  faw  that  this  deception  could  not  long  Hand  its 
ground.  He  therefore  came  forward,  at  a  convention 
at  Braup.fchv.eig  in  1772,  and  faid  to  the  Stri6l  Dif- 
ciplinarians  or  Templars,  That  he  was  of  their  Order, 
but  of  the  fpiritual  department,  and  was  deputed  by 
the  Chapter  of  K — m — d — t  in  Scotland,  where  he 
was  Chancellor  of  the  Congregation,  and  had  the  name 
of  Archidcmides,  Eques  ah  Aquilafuha:  That  tiiis 
Chapter  had  the  fuperintendance  of  the  Order:  That 
they  alone  could  confccrate  the  Knights,  or  the  un- 
known fuperiors  ;  and  that  he  was  deputed  to  inftru6t 
them  in  the  real  principles  of  the  Order,  and  impart  irs 
incftimabie  fecrets,  which  could  not  be  knov;n  to  Ba- 
ron Hunde,  as  he  would  readily  acknowledge  vvh.en  he 
fliould  convcrfe  with  him.     Johnibn,  he  laid,  iiid  been 

a  chcai;. 


60  THE    SCHISMS    IN  CHAP.     I. 

a  cheat,  and  probably  a  murderer.  He  had  got  fome 
knowledge  from  papers  which  he  mufl  have  ftolen  from 
a  mifTionary,  who  had  difappeared,  and  was  probably 
killed.  Giigomos  and  Schropfer  muft  have  had  fume 
fimilar  information  ;  and  Schropfer  had  even  deceived 
him  for  a  time.  He  was  ready  to  execute  his  com- 
miffion,  upon  their  coming  under  the  neceffary  obliga- 
tions of  fecrecy  and  of  fubmiflion.  Hunde  (whofe  name 
in  the  Order  was  the  Eqiies  ah  Enje)  acquiefced  at  once, 
and  propofed  a  convention,  with  full  powers  to  decide 
and  accept.  But  a  Schubart,  a  gentleman  of  character, 
who  was  treafurer  to  the  Templar  Mafons,  and  had  an 
employment  which  gave  him  confiderable  influence  in 
the  Order,  ftrongly  diffuaded  them  from  fuch  a  m'ea- 
fure.  The  moft  unqualified  fubmiflion  to  unknown 
fupcriorSj  and  to  conditions  equally  unknown,  was  re- 
quired previous  to  the  fmallett  communication,  or  any 
knowledge  of  the  powers  which  Archidemides  had  to 
treat  with  them.  Many  meetings  were  held,  and 
many  attempts  were  made  to  learn  fomething  of  this 
fpiritual  court,  and  of  what  they  might  expe<5l  from 
them.  Dr.  Stark,  Baron  Weggepfak,  Baron  von  Ra- 
ven, and  fome  others  of  his  coadjutors  in  the  Lodges 
at  Konino-fbere  in  Pruflla,  and  at  Wifmar,  were  re- 
ceived  into  the  Order.  But  in  vain — nothing  was  ob- 
tained from  thefe  n;hofl:ly  Knio;hts  but  fome  infignificant 
ceremonials  of  receptions  and  confecrations.  Of  this 
kind  of  novelties  they  were  already  heartily  fick  ;  and 
though  they  all  panted  after  the  expedled  wonders, 
they  were  fo  much  frightened  by  the  unconditional  fub- 
miflion, that  they  could  come  to  no  agreement,  and 
the  fecrcts  of  the  Scotch  Consjregation  of  K — m — d — t 
flill  remain  with  Dr.  Stark.  They  did,  however,  a 
fenfible  thing;  theyfenta  deputation  to  Old  Aberdeen, 
to  enquire  after  the  caves  where  their  venerable  myf- 
teries  were  known,  and  their  treafures  were  hid.   They 

had 


CHAP.    I.  FREE    MASONRY..  6"l 

had,  as  they  thought,  merited  fome  more  confidence; 
for  they  had  remitted  annual  contributions  to  thefe 
unknown  fuperiors,  to  the  amount  of  fome  thoufands 
of  rix  dollars.  But  alas  !  their  ambaffadors  found  the 
Free  Mafons  of  Old  Aberdeen  ignorant  of  all  this^ 
and  as  eao;er  to  learn  from  the  ambaffadors  what  was 
the  true  origin  and  meaning  of  Free  Mafonry,  of 
which  they  knew  nothing  but  the  fimple  tale  of  Old 
Hiram.  This  broke  Stark's  credit  -,  but  he  ftill  in- 
filled on  the  reality  of  his  commillion,  and  laid  that 
the  Brethren  at  Aberdeen  were  indeed  ignorant,  but 
that  he  had  never  faid  otherwifc;  their  e.xpe6tations 
from  that  quarter  had  reftcd  on  the  fcraps  purloined 
by  Johnfon.  He  reminded  them  of  a  thing  well  known 
to  themfelves  ;  that  one  of  them  had  been  fcnt  for  by 
a  dying  nobleman  to  receive  papers  on  this  fubjeft,  and 
that  his  vifit  having  been  delayed  a  few  hours  by  an 
unavoidable  accident,  he  found  all  burnt  but  a  frag- 
ment of  a  capitulary,  and  a  thing  in  cypher,  part 
of  which  he  (Dr.  Stark)  had  explained  to  them. 
They  had  employed  another  gentleman,  a  H.  Wach- 
ter,  to  make  limiiar  enquiries  in  Italy,  where  Schrop- 
fer  and  others  (even  Hunde)  had  told  them  great  fe- 
crets  were  to  be  obtained  from  the  Precen.ier's  fecre- 
tary  Approfi,  and  others.  Wachter  told  them,  that 
all  this  was  a  lidtion,  but  that  he  had  feen  at  Florence 
fome  Brethren  from  the  Holy  Land,  who  really  pof- 
feffed  wonderful  fecrcts,  which  he  v;'as  willing  to  im- 
part, on  proper  conditions.  Thefe,  however,  they 
could  not  accede  to  -,  but  they  were  cruelly  tortured  by 
feeing  Wachter,  who  had  left  Germany  in  fober  cir- 
cumftances,  novv'  a  man  of  great  wealth  and  expence. 
He  would  not  acknowledge  that  he  had  got  the  fecret 
of  gold-miaking  from  the  Afiatic  Brethren  j  but  faid 
that  no  man  had  any  right  to  a(k  him  how  he  had  come 
by  his  fortune.  It  was  enough  that  he  behaved  hono- 
rably. 


62  THE    SCHISMS    IN  CHAP.  I. 

rab]y,  and  owed  no  man  any  thing.  He  broke  off  all 
connediions  with  them,  and  left  them  in  great  diftref^ 
about  their  Order,  and  panting  after  his  lecrcts.  Rifum 
teneatis  amici. 

Stark,  in  revenge  for  the  oppofition  he  had  met 
with  from  Schubart,  left  no  ftone  unturned  to  hurt 
him  with  his  Brethren,  and  fuccceded,  fo  that  he  left 
them  in  difguft.  Hunde  died  about  this  time.  A 
book  appeared,  called,  The  Stumbling  Block  and  Rock 
of  Offence,  which  betrayed  (by  their  own  confeffion) 
the  whole  fecrets  of  the  Order  of  Templars,  and  foon 
made  an  end  of  it,  as  far  as  ic  went  beyond  the  fimple 
Englifh  Mafonry. 

Thus  was  the  faith  of  Free  Mafons  quite  unhinged 
in  Germany.  But  the  rage  for  myfteries  and  wonder 
was  not  in  the  leait  abated  j  and  the  habits  of  thefe 
fecret  Affemblies  were  becoming  every  day  more  crav- 
ing. Diffenfion  and  fchifm  was  multiplying  in  every 
quarter  ;  and  the  Infiitution,  inftead  of  being  an  in- 
citement to  mutual  complaifance  and  Brotherly  love, 
had  become  a  fource  of  contention,  and  of  bitter  en- 
mity. Not  iatislicd  v/ith  defending  the  propriety  of 
its  own  Indications,  each  Syftem  of  Free  Mafonry 
was  buly  in  enticing  away  the  partilans  of  other  Syf- 
terns,  fnut  their  Lodges  againft  each  other,  and  pro- 
ceeded even  to  vilify  and  perfecute  the  adherents  of 
every  Syftem  but  their  own. 

Thefe  animofities  arofe  chiefly  from  the  quarrels 
about  precedency,  and  the  arrogance  (as  it  was  thought) 
of  the  patent  Lodge  of  Berlin,  in  pretending  to  have 
any  authority  in  the  other  parts  of  the  empire.  But 
thefe  pretenfions  were  not  the  refult  of  mere  vanity. 
The  French  importers  of  the  new  degrees,  always  true 
to  the  glory  of  their  nation,  hoped  by  this  means  to 
fecure  the  dependence  even  of  this  frivolous  fociety  j 
perhaps  they  might  forefee   political  ufes  and  benefits 

which 


CHAP.  I.  FREE    MASONRY.  6^ 

which  might  arife  from  ic.  One  thing  is  worth  notice  : 
The  French  Lodges  had  all  emanated  from  the  great 
Confederation  under  the  Duke  de  Chartres ;  and, 
even  if  we  had  no  other  proof,  we  might  prcfume  that 
they  would  cultivate  the  fame  principles  that  charadle- 
rifed  that  Se6t.  But  we  are  certain  that  infidelity  and 
laxity  of  moral  principles  were  prevalent  in  the  Rofaic 
Lodges,  and  that  the  obfervation  of  this  corruption 
had  offended  many  of  the  fober  old-falliioned  Lodges, 
and  was  one  great  caufe  of  any  check  that  was  given 
to  the  brilliant  Mafonry  of  France.  It  is  the  obferva- 
tion of  this  circumftance,  in  which  they  all  refembled, 
and  which  foon  ceafed  to  be  a  diflin6iion,  becaufe  it 
pervaded  the  other  Lodges,  that  has  induced  me  to 
expatiate  more  on  this  hiftory  of  Free  Mafonry  in  Ger- 
many, than  may  appear  to  my  readers  to  be  adequate 
to  the  importance  of  Free  Mafonry  in  the  general  fub- 
je6t-matter  of  thefe  pages.  But  I  hope  that  it  will 
appear  in  the  courfe  of  my  narration  that  I  have  not 
given  it  a  greater  value  than  it  dtfcrves. 

About  this  very  time  there  was  a  great  revolution 
of  the  public  mind  in  Germany,  and  fcepticifm,  infi- 
delity, and  irreligion,  not  only  were  prevalent  in  the 
minds  and  manners  of  the  wealthy  and  luxurious,  and 
of  the  profligate  of  lower  ranks,  but  began  to  appear 
in  the  productions  of  tht  prcfs.  Some  circumliances, 
peculiar  to  Germany,  occafioaed  thefe  declenfions 
from  the  former  acquiefcence  in  the  faith  of  their  fore- 
fathers to  become  more  uniform  and  remarkable  than 
they  would  otherwifc  have  been.  The  confefiGons  of 
Germany  are  the  Roman  Catholic,  the  Lutheran, 
(which  they  call  Protcftant,)  and  the  Calvinifl,  (v/hich 
they  call  Reformed).  Thefe  areprofeffed  in  many  fmall 
contiguous  principalities,  and  there  is  hardly  one  of 
them  in  which  all  the  three  have  not  free  exercife.  The 
dcfire  of  making  profelytes  is  natural  to  all  farious  pre- 

ftlTor.s 


64  THE  SCfllSMS   IN  CHAP.   I. 

feffbrs  of  a  rational  faith,  and  was  frequently  exerclfed. 
The  Roman  Catholics  are  fuppofcd  by  us  to  be  parti- 
cularly zealous,  and  theXVoteilants  (Lutherans  andCal- 
vinills)  were  cartful  to  oppofe  them  by  every  kind  of 
argument,  among  which  thofe  of  ridicule  and  reproach 
were  not  fpared.  The  Catholics  accufed  them  of  infi- 
delity refpeding  the  fundamental  dodrines  of  Chrifti- 
anity  which  they  profeffed  to  believe,  and  even  with 
rcfpeft  to  the  do6lrines  of  natural  religion.  This  ac- 
cufation  was  long  very  flightly  fupported  j  but,  of  late, 
by  bt:tter  proofs.  The  fpirit  of  free  enquiry  was  the 
great  boall  of  the  Prottfiants,  and  the  only  fupport 
againft  the  Catholics,  fccuringthem  both  in  their  reli- 
gious and  civil  rights.  It  was  therefore  encouraged  by 
their  governments.  It  is  not  to  be  wondered  at  that  it 
fhould  be  indulged  to  exccfs,  or  improperly,  even  by 
ferious  men,  liable  to  error,  in  their  difputes  with 
the  Catholics.  In  the  progrefs  of  this  contefl:,  even 
their  own  Conicffions  did  not  efcape  criiicifm,  and  it 
was  alTcrted  that  the  Reformation  vvliich  thofe  Con- 
fefiions  exprefs  was  not  complete.  Further  Refor- 
mations were  propoied.  The  Scriptures,  the  foun- 
dation of  our  faith,  v;ere  examined  by  clergymen  of 
very  different  capacities,  difpofitions,  and  views,  till 
by  explaining,  corre6ling,  aliegorifing,  and  otherwife 
twifting  the  Bible,  men's  minds  had  hardly  any  thing 
left  to  reft  on  as  a  doctrine  of  revealed  relia-ion.  This 
encouraged  others  to  go  farther,  and  to  fay  that  reve- 
lation was  a  folecifm,  as  plainly  appeared  by  the  ir- 
reconcilcable  differences  among  thofe  Enlighteners  (fo 
they  were  called)  of  the  public,  and  that  man  had  no- 
thing to  trufb  to  but  the  dictates  of  natural  reafon. 
Another  fet  of  writers,  proceeding  from  this  as  a  point 
already  fettled,  profcribed  all  religion  whatever,  and 
openly  taught  the  doctrines  of  materialifm  and  atheifm. 
Mod  of  thcfe  innovations  vvcre  the  work  of  Proteftant 

divines 


CHAF^.  I.  FREE    MASONRY.  6^ 

divines,  from  the  caufes  that  I  have  mentioned.  Tel- 
ler, Semler,  Eberhardt,  Leffing,  Bahrdt,  Riem,  and 
Shultz,  had  the  chief  hand  in  all  thefe  innovations. 
But  no  man  contributed  more  than  Nicholaij  an  emi- 
nent and  learned  bookfeller  in  Berlin.  He  has  been 
for  many  years  the  publillier  of  a  periodical  work, 
called  the  General  German  Library,  (/llgt'niein  deufjche 
Bibiiothek,)  confiiling  of  original  dillertations,  and  re- 
vicv/s  of  the  writings  of  others.  The  great  merit  of 
this  work,  on  account  of  many  learned  tiiflertations 
which  appear  in  it,  has  procured  it  much  influence  en 
that  clafs  of  readers  whofe  leifure  or  capacity  did  not 
allow  them  a  more  profound  kind  of  reading.  This 
is  the  bulk  of  readers  in  every  country.  -  Nicholai 
gives  a  derided  preference  to  the  v/ritings  of  the  En- 
lighceners,  and  in  his  reviews  treats  them  with  parti- 
cular notice,  makes  the  public  fully  acquainted  with 
their  works,  and  makes  the  mod  favourable  com- 
ments ;  whereas  the  performances  of  their  oppo- 
nents, or  more  properly  fpeaking,  the  defenders 
of  the  National  Creeds,  are  ntglefted,  omitted, 
or  barely  mentioned,  or  they  arc  criticifed  with 
every  feverity  of  ridicule  and  reproach.  He  fell  upon 
a  very  fure  method  of  rendering  the  orthodox  writers 
difagreeable  to  the  public,  by  reprefcnting  them  as 
the  abetters  of  fuperfiition,  and  as  fecret  Jefuits.  He 
alTerced,  that  the  abolition  of  the  Order  of  Loycla  is 
only  apparent.  The  Brethren  fiiill  retained  their  con- 
nexion, and  moft  part  of  their  property,  under  the 
fecret  patronage  of  Catholic  Princes.  They  are,  there- 
fore, in  every  corner,  in  every  habit  and  charadter, 
working  with  unwearied  zeal  for  the  reftoration  of 
their  empire.  He  raifed  a  general  alarm.,  and  made  a 
journey  through  Germany,  hunting  for  Jefuits,  and 
for  this  purpofe,  became  Free  Mafon  and  Rofycrucian, 
being  introduced  by  his   friends  Gcdicke  and  Bicfler, 

I  clergymen. 


66  THi    SCHISMS    IN  CHAP.  1* 

clergymen,  publilliers  of  the  Berlif^  Monatjchrift ,  and 
moft  zealous  promoters  of  the  new  do6lrines.  This 
favour  he  has  repaid  at  his  return,  by  betraying  the 
myfteries  of  the  Lodges,  and  by  much  bitter  fatire. 
His  journey  was  publiflied  in  fcvcral  volumes,  and  is 
full  of  frightful  Jefuitifms.  This  man,  as  I  have  faid, 
found  the  greatcil  fuccefs  in  his  method  of  flandering 
the  defenders  of  Bibie-Chrillianicy,  by  reprefcnting 
them  as  concealed  Jefuits.  But,  not  contented  with 
open  difcuITion,  he  long  ago  publifned  a  fort  of  ro- 
mance, called  Sebaldus  l^cthanker,  in  which  thefe  di- 
vines are  introduced  under  feigned  names,  and  made 
as  ridiculous  and  detellable  as  pofiible.  All  this  was 
a  good  trading  job  J  for  fceptical  and  free-thinking 
writings  have  everywhere  a  good  market  i  and  Ni- 
cholai  was  nor  only  reviewer,  but  publifher,  having 
preffes  in  difFerenr  cities  of  the  Empire.  The  im- 
menfe  literary  manufafture  of  Germany,  far  exceeding 
that  of  any  nation  of  Europe,  is  carried  on  in  a  very 
particular  way.  The  books  go  in  flieets  to  the  great 
fairs  of  Leipfic  and  Frankfort,  twice  a-year.  The 
bookfellers  meet  there,  and  fee  at  one  glance  the  ftatc 
of  literature  i  and  having  fpeculated  and  made  their 
bargains,  the  books  are  inftantly  difperfed  through 
every  part  of  the  Empire,  and  appear  at  once  in  all 
quarters.  Although  every  Principality  has  an  officer 
for  licenfmg,  it  is  impofiible  to  prevent  the  currency 
of  a  performance,  although  it  may  be  prohibited  ;  for 
it  is  to  be  had  by  the  carrier  at  three  or  four  miles  dif- 
tance  in  another  Hate.  By  this  mode  of  traffic,  a  plot 
may  be  formed,  and  adlually  has  been  formed,  for 
giving  any  particular  turn  to  the  literature  of  the  coun- 
try. There  is  an  excellent  work  printed  at  Bern  by 
the  author  Heinzmann,  a  bookfciler,  called,  Appeal 
to  my  Cctintry^  concerning  a  Combmaticn  of  Writers^  and 
BookfcUers,  to  rule  the  Literature  of  Germany.,  and  form 

the 


CHAP.    I.  FREE    MASONRY.  67 

the  Public  Mind  into  a  Contempt  for  tb;  Religion  and  Civil 
EJlabliJhments  of  the  Empire.  Ic  contains  a  hiitorical  ac- 
count of  the  publications  in  every  branch  of  literature 
for  about  thirty  years.  The  author  fhows,  in  the  moft 
convincing  manner,  that  the  prodigious  change  from 
the  former  fatisfadtion  of  the  Germans  on  thofe  fub- 
je6ls  to  their  prefcnt  difcontent  and  attacks  from  every 
quarter,  is  neither  a  fair  picture  of  the  prevailing  {<tn~ 
timents,  nor  has  been  the  fimple  operation  of  things, 
but  the  refult  of  a  combination  of  trading  Infidels. 

I  have  here  fomewhat  anticipated,  (for  I  hope  to 
point  out  the  fources  of  this  combination,)  becaufe  it 
helps  to  explain  or  illuftrate  the  progrefs  of  infidelity 
and  irreligion  that  I  was  fpeaking  of  It  v/as  much 
accelerated  by  another  circumftance.  One  Bafedozv,  a 
man  of  talents  and  learning,  fct  up,  in  the  Principality 
of  Anhalt-Deflau,  a  Philanthropine,  or  academy 
of  general  education,  on  a  plan  extremely  different 
from  thofe  of  the  Univerfities  and  Academies.  By 
this  appellation,  the  founder  hoped  to  make  parents 
expeft  that  much  attention  would  be  paid  to  the  mo- 
rals of  the  pupils;  and  indeed  the  programs  or  adver- 
tifements  by  which  Bafedow  announced  his  infticution 
to  the  public,  defcribed  it  as  the  profeffed  feminary 
of  practical  Ethics.  Languages,  fciences,  and  the  or- 
namental exercifcs,  were  here  confidered  as  mere  ac- 
celfories,  and  the  great  aim  was  to  forni  the  young 
mind  to  the  love  of  mankind  and  of  virtue,  by  a  plan 
of  moral  education  which  was  very  fpecious  and  unex- 
ceptionable. But  there  was  a  circumftance  which 
greatly  obftrufted  the  wide  profpefts  of  the  founder. 
How  were  the  religious  opinions  of  the  youth  to  be 
cared  for  ?  Catholics,  Lutherans,  and  Calvinifts,  were 
almoft  equally  numerous  in  the  adjoining  Principali- 
ties;  and  the  exclufion  of  any  two  of  thcfe  commu- 
nions would  prodigiou'fly  limit  the  propofed  ufcfulnefs 

Q 


68  THE  SCHI5MS  IN 


CHAP.  li 


of  the  inditiition.  Baitdow  was  a  man  of  talents,  a 
good  fcholar,  and  a  peiTuafive  writer.  He  framed  4 
fee  of  rules,  by  which  tlic  education  fliould  be  con- 
duclcd,  and  which,  he  thought,  fliould  make  every 
parent  eafy  ;  and  the  plan  is  very  judicious  and  manly. 
But  none  came  but  Lutherans.  His  zeal  and  intereft 
in  the  thing  made  him  endeavour  to  intereft  others  ; 
and  he  found  this  no  hard  matter.  The  people  of 
condition,  and  oil  fenfible  men,  faw  that  it  would  be 
a  very  great  advantage  to  the  place,  could  they  induce 
men  to  fend  their  children  from  all  the  neis-hboiirins 
ftates.  What  we  wilh,  we  readily  believe  to  be  the 
truth ;  and  Bafedow's  plan  and  reafonings  appeared 
complete,  and  had  the  fupport  of  all  clafics  of  men. 
The  moderate  Calvinifts,  after  fome  time,  were  not 
averfe  from  them,  and  the  literary  manufacSturc  of 
Germany  was  foon  very  bufy  in  making  pamphlets, 
defending,  improving,  attacking,  and  reprobating  the 
plans.  Innumerable  were  the  projcdts  for  moderating 
the  differences  between  the  three  Chriftian  commu- 
nions of  Germany,  and  making  it  poffibie  for  the 
members  of  them  all,  not  only  to  live  amicably  among 
each  other,  and  to  worlhip  God  in  the  fj.me  church, 
but  even  to  communicate  together.  This  attempt  na- 
turally gave  rife  to  much  fpcculation  and  rrfinement; 
and  the  propofals  for  amendment  of  the  formulas  and 
the  inllru6lions  from  the  pulpit  were  profecuted  with 
fo  much  kcennefs,  that  the  ground-work,  Chriflianity, 
was  refined  and  refined,  till  it  vanifhcd  altogether, 
leaving  Deifm,  or  Natural,  or,  as  it  was  called,  Phi- 
lofophical  Religion,  in  its  place.  I  am  not  much  mif- 
taken  as  to  hiftorical  fa6l,  when  I  fay,  that  the  afto- 
nifhingr  chanjie  in  reli<2;ious  dodrine  which  has  taken 
place  in  Proteftant  Germany  within  thele  laft  thirty 
years  was  chiefly  occafioned  by  this  fcheme  of  Bafe- 
dow's.    The  predifpofing  caufes  exifted,  indeed,  and 

were 


CJ3AP.    I.  FREE    MASONRY.  69 

were  general  and  powerful,  and  the  diforder  had  al- 
ready broken  out.  But  this  fpecious  and  enticing  ob- 
je6t  hrft  gas^e  a  title  to  Proteftant  clergymen  to  put  to 
their  hand  without  rifk  of  being  cenfured. 

Bafedow  corredled,  and  corredled  again,  but  not 
one  Catholic  came  to  the  Philanthropine.  He  feems 
to  have  thought  that  the  beft  plan  would  be,  to  banilli 
all  pofitive  religion  whatever,  and  that  he  would  then 
be  furc  of  Catholic  fcholars.  Cardinal  Dubois  was  fo 
far  right  with  refpedt  to  the  firft  Catholic  pupii  of  the 
church.  He  had  recommended  a  man  of  his  own 
llamp  to  Louis  XIV.  to  fill  fome  important  office. 
The  monarch  was  aftonifhed,  and  told  the  Cardinal, 
that  "  that  would  never  do,  for  the  man  was  a  Janfe- 
*'  nid;  Eh!  que  non^  SirCj'  faid  the  Cardinal,  "  z7 
"  rCeft  qvJ  Athee ;''  all  was  fafe,  and  the  man  got  the 
priory.  But  though  all  v;as  in  vain,  Bafcdow's  Phi- 
lanthropine at  Dcflau  got  a  high  charafter.  He  pub- 
liflied  many  volumes  on  education  that  have  much 
merit. 

It  were  well  had  this  been  all.  But  moft  unfortu- 
nately, though  moft  naturally,  writers  of  loofc  moral 
principles  and  of  wicked  hearts  were  encouraged  by 
the  impunity  which  the  fceptical  v/riters  experienced, 
and  ventured  to  publifn  things  of  the  viJtft  tendency, 
inflaming  the  paffions  and  juftifying  licentious  manners. 
Thefe  maxims  are  congenial  with  irreligion  and  Athe- 
ifm,  and  the  bcoks  found  a  quick  market.  It  was 
chiefly  in  the  Prufilan  States  that  this  went  on.  The 
late  King  was,  to  fay  the  beft  of  him,  a  naturalift,  and, 
holding  this  life  for  his  all,  gave  full  liberty  to  his  fub- 
jedts  to  write  what  they  pleafed,  provided  they  did  not 
touch  on  ftate  matters.  He  declared,  however,  to  a 
minifterof  his  court,  long  before  his  death,  that  "  he 
"  was  extremely  forry  that  his  indifi^erence  had  pro- 
"  duced  fuch  eft^efts  ;  that  he  was  fenfible  it  had  greatly 

**  contri- 


(C 

cc 


70  THE    SCHISMS    IN  CHAP.    I. 

"  contributed  to  hurt  the  peace  and  mutual  good  treat- 
ment of  his  rubje<5ts ;"  and  he  faid,  ''  that  he  would 
willingly  give  up  the  glory  of  his  bell-fought  battle, 
to  have  the  fatisfa^tion  of  leaving  his  people  in  the 
"  fame  itate  of  peace  and  faLisfadlion  wiih  their  rcli- 
*'  gious  eftablifhments,  that  he  found  tliem  in  at  his 
"  accelTion  to  the  throne."  His  fucceflbr  Frederick 
William  found  that  things  had  gone  much  too  far,  and 
determined  to  fupport  the  church-eftablilhment  in  the 
mod  peremptory  manner;  but  at  the  fame  time  to.  al- 
low perfcft  freedom  of  thinking;  and  converfmg  to  the 
profcifors  of  every  Chriftian  faith,  provided  it  vvas  en- 
joyed without  diilurbing  the  general  peace,  or  any 
encroachment  on  the  rights  of  thofe  already  fupported 
by  law.  He  publiilied  an  edi6t  to  this  effe6b,  which 
is  really  a  model  worthy  of  imitation  in  every  country. 
This  w'as  the  epoch  of  a  itrange  revolution.  It  was 
attacked  from  all  hands,  and  criticifms,  fatires,  flan- 
ders,  threatenings,  poured  in  from  every  quarter.  The 
independency  of  the  neighbouiing  ftates,  and  the  mo- 
narch's not  beino;  a  o;reat  favourite  amono-  feveral  of 
his  neighbours^  permitted  the  publication  of  thofe 
pieces  in  the  adjoining  principalities,  and  it  was  im- 
poffible  to  prevent  their  circulation  even  in  the  Pruf- 
fian  States.  His  edi6t  was  called  an  unjuftifiable  ty- 
ranny over  the  confciences  of  men ;  the  dogmas  fup- 
ported by  it  were  termed  abfurd  fuperfti lions ;  the 
King's  private  charadtr,  and  his  opinions  in  religious 
matters,  were  treated  with  little  reverence,  nay,  were 
ridiculed  and  fcandaloully  abufed.  This  field  of  dif- 
cuflion  being  thus  thrown  open,  the  writers  did  not 
confine  themfclvcs  to  religious  matters.  After  flatly 
denying  that  the  prince  of  any  country  had  the  fmalielt 
right  to  prefcribe,  or  even  direfl  the  faith  of  his  fub- 
jefts,  they  extended  their  difcuflions  to  the  rights  .of 
pirinccs  in  general  i  and  now  ihcy  fairly  opened  their 

trenches. 


GHAP.  J.  FREE    MASONRY*  yi 

trenches,  and  made  an  attack  in  form  on  the  conftitu- 
tions  of  the  German  confederacy,  and,  after  the  ufual 
approaches,  they  fet  up  the  ftandard  of  univerfal  citi- 
zenfhip  on  the  very  ridge  of  the  glacis,  and  fummoned 
the  fort  to  furrender.  The  mofl  daring  of  thefe  attacks 
was  a  colle6lion  of  anonymous  letters  on  the  conflitu- 
tution  of  the  Prufiian  States.  It  was  printed  (or  faid 
to  be  fo)  at  Utrecht  ^  but  by  comparing  the  faults  of 
fome  types  with  fome  books  printed  in  Berlin,  it  was 
fuppofed  by  all  to  be  the  produ6lion  of  one  of  Nicho- 
lai's  preiTcs.  It  was  thought  to  be  the  compofition  of 
Mirabtau.  It  is  certain  that  he  wrote  a  French  tranf- 
lation,  with  a  preface  and  notes,  more  impudent  than 
the  work  itfelf.  The  monarch  is  declared  to  be  a  ty- 
rant 3  the  people  are  addreffed  as  a  parcel  of  tame 
wretches  crouching  under  oppreffion.  The  people  of 
Silefia  are  reprefented  as  ftil!  in  a  worfe  condition,  and 
are  repeatedly  called  to  roufe  themfelves,  and  to  rife 
up  and  affcrt  their  rights.  The  King  is  told,  that 
there  is  a  combination  of  philofophcrs  (ccjijuration) 
who  are  leagued  together  in  defence  of  truth  and  rea- 
fon,  and  which  no  power  can  withftandj  that  they  are 
to  be  found  in  every  country,  and  are  conne6led  by 
mutual  and  folemn  engagement,  and  will  put  in  prac- 
tice every  mean  of  attack.  Enlightening,  inftruftion, 
was  the  general  cry  among  the  writers.  The  triumph 
of  reafon  over  error,  the  overthrow  of  fuperflition  and 
flaviih  fear,  freedom  from  religious  and  political  pre- 
judices, and  the  eflablifhment  of  liberty  and  equality, 
the  natural  and  unalienable  rights  of  man,  were  the 
topics  of  general  declamation  j  and  it  was  openly  main- 
tained, that  fecret  focieties,  where  the  communication 
of  fentiment  fhould  be  free  from  every  reflraint,  was 
the  mofl  efredlual  means  for  inftrudina;  and  enlio-hten- 
jng  the  world. 

And 


72  THE    SCHISMS    IN  CHAP.   I. 

And  thus  it  appears,  that  Germany  has  experienced 
the  fame  gradual  progrefs,  from  Religion  to  Atheifm', 
from  decency  to  difToiUtenefs,  and  from  loyalty  to  re- 
bellion, which  has  had  its  courfe  in  France.  And  I 
mull:  now  add,  that  this  progrefs  has  been  effected  in 
the  fame  manner,  and  by  the  fame  means  ;  and  that 
one  of  the  chief  means  of  fedu61:ion  lias  been  the  Lodges 
of  the  Free  Mafons.  The  French,  along  with  their 
numerous  chevalerics,  and  ftars,  and  ribands,  had 
brouglit  in  the  cuftom  of  haranguing  in  the  Lodges, 
and  as  human  nature  has  a  confiderable  uniformity 
every  where,  the  fame  topics  became  favourite  fub- 
je6ls  of  declamation  that  had  tickled  the  ear  in  France; 
there  were  the  fame  corruptions  of  fentimcnts  and  man- 
ners among  the  luxurious  or  profligate,  and  the  fame 
incitements  to  the  utterance  of  thefe  fentiments, 
wherever  it  could  be  done  with  fafety  ;  and  I  may  fay, 
that  the  zealots  in  all  thefe  trafts  of  freethinking  were 
more  ferious,  more  grave,  and  fanatical.  Thefe  are 
not  aflertions  a  priori.  I  can  produce  proofs.  There 
was  a  Baron  Knigge  refiding  at  that  time  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  Frankfort,  of  whom  I  lliall  afterwards 
have  occafion  frequently  to  fpeak.  This  man  was  an 
enthufiaft  in  Mafonry  from  his  youth,  and  had  run 
through  every  poffible  degree  of  it.  He  was  diflatisfied 
with  them  all,  and  particularly  with  the  frivolity  of  the 
French  chivalry ;  but  he  ftill  believed  that  Mafonry 
contained  invaluable  fecrets.  He  imagined  that  he  law 
aglimfe  of  them  in  the  cofmo-political  and  fceptical  dif- 
courfes  in  their  Lodges ;  he  fat  down  to  meditate  on 
thefe,  and  foon  collefted  his  thoughts,  and  found  that 
thofe  French  orators  were  right  without  knowing  it  ; 
and  that  Mafonry  was  pure  natural  religion  and  univer- 
fal  citizenfhip,  and  that  this  was  alfo  true  Chriftianity. 
In  this  faith  he  immediately  began  his  career  of  Bro- 
therly love,  and  publiflied  three  volumes  of  fermons  ; 

the 


CHAP.   I.  FREE   MASONRY.  "^^ 

the  firft  and  thirJ  publiflied  at  Frankfort,  and  the  fe- 
cond  at  Heidelberg,  but  without  his  name.  He  pub- 
liflied alfo  a  popular  fyilem  of  religion.  In  all  thefe 
publications,  of  which  there  are  extratls  in  the  Religions 
Begebenheiten^  Chriilianity  is  confidered  as  a  mere  alle- 
gory, or  a  Mafonic  type  of  natural  religion;  the  moral 
duties  are  fpun  into  the  common-place  declamations  of 
univerfal  benevolence  j  and  the  attention  is  continually 
dire6te(i  to  the  abfurdities  and  horrors  of  fuperftition, 
the  fuffe rings  of  the  poor,  the  tyranny  and  oppreiTiori 
of  the  great,  the  tricks  of  the  pricfts,  and  the  indolent 
fimplicity  and  patience  of  the  laity  and  of  the  common 
people.  The  happinefs  of  the  patriarchal  life,  and 
fweets  of  univerfal  equality  and  freedom,  are  the  bur- 
den of  every  paragraph  ;  and  the  general  tenor  of  the 
whole  is  to  make  men  difcontented  with  their  condi- 
tion of  civil  fubordination,  and  the  refiraints  of  reveal- 
ed religion. 

All  the  proceedings  ofKniggein  the  Mafonic  fchifms 
fhow  that  he  was  a  zealous  apoftle  of  cofmo  politifm, 
and  that  he  was  continually  dealing  with  people  in  the 
Lodges  who  were  affi^clateJ  with  iiim  in  propagating 
thofc  notions  among  the  Brethren;  {q  that  we  are  cer- 
tain that  fuch  converfations  were  common  in  the  Ger- 
man Lodges. 

When  the  reader  confiders  all  thef^  circum (lances, 
he  will  abate  of  that  furprife  which  nutnraliy  aiFc(3:s  a 
Briton,  when  he  read?  accounts  of  conventions  for  dif- 
cuiTing  and  fixing  the  dogmatic  tenets  of  Free  Ma- 
fonry.  The  perk^6t:  freedom,  civil  and  rclisrious, 
which  we  enjoy  in  this  happy  country,  being  familiar 
to  every  man,  we  indulge  it  with  calmnefs  and  mode- 
ration, and  fecret  aifemblies  hardly  differ  from  the 
common  meetings  of  friends  and  neighbours.  We  do 
not  forget  the  expediency  of  civil  fubordination,  and 
of  thofc  diilinclions   which  arife  from,fccure  pofiefiTion 


/4  THE  SCHISMS  IN  CHAP.    I. 

of  our  rights,  and  the  gradual  accumulation  of.  the 
comforts  ot  life  in  the  families  of  the  fober  and  in-, 
duilrious.  Thefe  have,  by  prudence  and  a  refpecfta- 
ble  CEccnomy,  prefcrved  the  acquifitions  of  their  an- 
ceftors.  Every  man  feels  in  his  own  breall:  the  ftrong 
call  of  nature  to  procure  for  himfelf  and  his  chil- 
dren, by  every  honeft  and  commendable  exertion, 
the  means  of  public  confideration  and  refpeft.  No 
man  is  fo  totally  without  fpirit,  as  not  to  think  the 
better  of  his  condition  when  he  is  come  of  credit- 
able parents,  and  has  creditable  connexions;  and 
without  thinking  that  he  is  in  any  refpe6l  generous,  he 
prelumes  that  others  have  the  fame  fentiments,  and 
therefore  allows  the  moderate  expreflion  of  them, 
without  thinking  it  infolence  or  haughtinefs.  Ail 
thefe  thinirs  are  familiar,  are  not  thouo;ht  of,  and  we 
enjoy  them  as  we  enjoy  ordinary  health,  without  per- 
ceiving it.  But  in  the  fame  m.anner  as  a  young  man 
who  has  been  long  confined  by  ficknefs,  exults  in  re- 
turning health,  and  is  apt  to  riot  in  the  enjoyment  of 
what  he  fo  diilindiy  feels;  fo  thofe  who  arc  under 
continual  check  in  open  fociety,  feel  this  emancipa- 
tion in  thofe  hidden  alTemblies,  and  indulge  with  ea- 
gernefs  in  the  exprefuon  of  fentiments  which  in  public 
they  mull  fmother  within  their  own  breafb.  Such 
meetings,  therefore,  have  a  zcil  that  is  very  alluring, 
and  they  are  frequented  with  avidity.  There  is  no 
country  in  Europe  where  this  kird  of  enjoyment  is  fo 
poignant  as  in  Germany.  Very  infignificanr  principa- 
lities have  the  fame  rank  in  the  General  Federation 
Vv^ith  very  extendve  dominions.  The  internal  confti- 
tution  of  each  petty  ftate  being  modelled  in  nearly  the 
fame  m;-inner,  the  official  honours  of  their  little  courts 
become  ludicrous  and  even  farcical.  The  Geheim 
Hofrath,  the  .Hofmarefchal,  and  all  the  Kammerhers 
of  a  Prince,  whofe  dominions  do  not  equal  the  eftates 

of 


CHAP.  1.  FREE    MASONRY. 


75 


of  many  Englifli  Squires,  Caufr  tlie  whole  to  appear 
like  the  play  of  children,  and  mull  give  frequent  oc- 
caiion  for  difcontcnt  anvi  ridicule.  Mafon  Lodges  even 
keep  this  alive.  The  fraccni-il  equality  profefied  in 
them  is  very  flattering  to  thofe  who  have  not  fucceed- 
ed  in  the  fcramble  for  civil  di[tin6lions.  Such  perlbns 
become  the  moil  zealous  Mafons,  and  generally  ob- 
tain the  adtive  oifices  in  the  Lodges,  and  have  an  op- 
portunity of  treating  with  authority  perfons  v.'hom  in 
public  fociety  they  mull  look  up  to  with  fome  refpecl. 

Thcfe  confiderations  account,  in  fome  meafure,  for 
the  importance  which  Free  Mafonry  has  acquired  in 
Germany.  For  a  long  while  the  hopes  of  learning 
fome  wonderful  fecret  made  a  German  Baron  think  no- 
thing of  long  and  expenfive  journies  in  quell  of  fome 
new  degree.  Of  late,  the  cofmo-political  doctrines 
encouraged  and  propagated  in  the  Lodges^  and  fome 
hopes  of  producing  a  Revolution  in  fociety,  by  which 
men  of  talents  lliould  obtain  the  management  of  public 
affairs,  feem  to  be  the  caufe  of  all  the  zeal  vvich  which 
the  order  is  ftill  cher'ifhed  and  promoted,  in  a  perio- 
dical work,  publil"heci  at  Ncuwied,  called  yllge:risni 
Zeitung  den Frcymaurerey ^  we  have  the  lift  of  the  Lodges 
in  1782,  with  the  nam.es  of  the  OfBce-bearers.  Four- 
fifths  of  thefe  arc  clergymen,  profcfTors,  perfons  hav- 
ing offices  in  the  common  law-courts,  men  of  letters 
by  trade,  fuch  as  reviesvers  and  journalifts,  and  other 
pamphleteers  J  a  clafs  of  men,  who  generally  think 
that  they  have  not  attained  that  rank  in  fociety  to 
which  their  talents  entitle  them,  and  imagine  that  they 
could  difcharge  the  important  offices  of  the  flate  with 
reputation  to  themfelves  and  advantage  to  the  public. 

The  mifcrable  uncertainty  and  inftabihty  of  the  Ma- 
Ibnic  faith,  which  I  defcribed  above,  was  not  altoge- 
ther tlie  clfeft  of  mere  chance,  but  had  been  greatly 
accelerated  by  the  machinations  of  Baron  Knigge,  and 

fome 


76  THE    SCHIoMS     IN  CHAT.   I. 

fome  cthfr  cofmo-political  Brethren  whom  he  had 
called  CO  his  adiltance.  Kni^se  had  now  formed  a 
rchcme  for  uniting  tlic  whole  Fraternity,  for  the  pur- 
pofe  of  promoting  his  Utopian  plan  of  univerfal  bene- 
volence in  a  ftate  of  liberty  and  equality.  He  hoped 
to  do  tliis  more  readily  by  completing  their  embarraff- 
ment,  and  Ihowing  each  fyftera  how  intirmits  foundation 
was,  and  how  little  chance  it  had  of  obtaining  a  general 
adherence.  The  Striken  GbJervanT.  had  now  completely 
loll  its  credit,  by  which  it  had  hoptd  to  get  the  better 
of  all  the  reft.  Knigge  therefore  propokd  a  plan  to  the 
Lodges  of  Frankfort  and  Wetzlar,  by  which  all  the  fyf- 
tems  might,  in  fome  meafure,  be  united,  or  at  leaft  be 
brought  to  a  ftate  of  mutual  forbearance  and  inter- 
courfe.  He  propofcd  th.it  the  Engliih  fyftem  fhould 
be  taken  for  the  ground- work,  and  to  receive  all  and 
only  thofe  who  had  taken  the  three  fymbolical  degrees, 
as  they  were  now  generally  called.  After  thus  guard- 
ing this  general  point  of  faith,  he  propofed  to  allow 
the  validity  of  every  degree  or  rank  which  fhould  be 
received  in  any  Lodge,  or  be  made  the  character  of 
any  particular  fyftem..  Thefe  Lodges  having  fccured 
the  adherence  of  fevcral  others,  brought  about  a  ge> 
neral  convention  at  Wiilcmfbad  in  Hainault,  where 
every  different  fyftem  fhould  communicate  its  peculiar 
tenets.  It  was  then  hoped,  that  after  an  examination 
of  them  all,  a  conftitution  might  be  formed,  which 
fliould  comprehend  every  thing  that  was  moft  worthy 
of  fcledion,  and  therefore  be  far  better  than  the  ac- 
commodating fyfiem  already  defcribed.  By  this  he 
hoped  to  get  his  favourite  fcheme  introduced  into  the 
whole  Order,  and  Free  Mafons  made  zealous  Citizens 
o{  the  World.  I  believe  he  was  fincere  in  thefe  in- 
tentions, and  did  not  wilh  to  difturb  the  public  peace. 
The    convention   was   accordinijly  held,  and  lafted  a 

long 


CHAP.  I.  FREE    MASOKRY.  ^y 

long  while,  the  deputies  confulting  about  the  trivoli- 
ties  of  Malbnry,  Vv'ith-  all  the  ferioufneis  offtate  am- 
baffadors.  But  there  was  great  Ihynefs  in  their  com- 
munications ;  and  Kniggc  was  making  but  fmall  pro- 
grefs  in  his  plan,  when  he  met  with  another  Mafon, 
the  Marquis  of  Conftanza,  who  in  an  inflant  convert- 
ed him,  and  changed  all  his  meafures,  by  Ihowing  him 
that  he  (Knigge)  was  only  doing  by  halves  what  was 
already  accomplifhed  by  another  Society,  which  had 
carried  it  to  its  full  extent.  They  immediately  fee 
about  undoing  what  he  had  been  occupied  with,  and 
hcio-htened  as  much  as  thev  could  the  diffentions  al- 
ready  fufficiently  great,  and,  in  the  mean  time,  got 
the  Lodges  of  Frankfort  and  Wetzlar,  and  feveral 
others,  to  unite,  and  pick  out  the  bed  of  the  things 
they  had  obtained  by  the  communications  from  the 
other  fyftems,  and  they  formed  a  plan  of  what  they 
called,  tlie  Eclectic  cr  Syna-itic  Majonry  of  the  United 
Lodges  of  Germany.  They  compofed  a  conftitucion, 
ritual,  and  catcchifm,  which  lias  merit,  and  is  indeed 
the  completed  body  of  Free  Mafonry  that  we  have. 

Such  was  the  flate  of  tliis  celebrated  and  myfterious 
Fraternity  in  Germany  in  1776.  The  fpirit  of  inno- 
vation had  fcized  ail  the  Brethren.  No  man  could 
^ive  a  tolerable  account  of  the  origin,  hiftory,  or  ob- 
jed  of  the  Order,  and  it  appeared  to  all  as  a  Icfb  or 
forgotten  myftery.  The  fymbols  feemcd  to  be  equal- 
ly fufceptible  of  every  interpretation,  and  none  of  thefe 
feemed  entitled  to  any  decided  preference. 


CHAP. 


[     78     ] 


CHAP.    II. 

Ths  liluminaii. 


1  HAVE  now  arrived  at  what  I  fliould  call  the  great 
epoch  of  Cofmo-politifm,  the  fcheme  communicated 
to  Baron  Knigge  by  the  Manheje  di  Ccnfianza.     This 
obliges  me  to  mention  a.  remarkable   Lodge   of   the 
Ecledlic   Mafonry,  creded  at   Munich   in   Bavaria  in 
1775,  under  the  worfnipful  Mailer,  ProfefTor  Baadcr. 
It  was  called   The  Lodge  Theodore  of  Coed  Coiinjel.     It 
had  its  conftiturional  patent  from   the   Royal  York  at 
Berlin,  but  had  formed  a  particular  fyftcm  of  its  own, 
by  inftruftionsfrom  the  Loge  des  Chevaliers  Bienfaijants 
at  Lyons,  with  which    it   kept  up  a  correfpondence. 
This  refpcft  to  the  Lodge  at  Lyons  had  arifcn  from 
the  preponderance   acquired  in  general  by  the  French 
party  in  the  convention  at  Willcmlbad.     The   depu- 
ties of  the   Rofaic   Lodges,  as  well  as  the  remains  of 
the  Templars,  and  Stri^ien  ObfervanZy  all  looking  up 
to  this  as  the  mother  Lodo-e  of  what   thev   called  the 
Grand  Orient  de  la  Francs  J  confiding   in    (in   1782)  of 
266  improved  Lodges  united  under  the  D.  de  Chartres. 
Accordingly    the  Lodge   at  Lyons  fent   Mr.   Wiler- 
mooz   as   deputy  to  this  convention   at  Willemfbad. 
Refining  gradually  on  the  fimple  Britifn  Mafonry,  the 
Lodge    had    formed  a  fyftem   of  praftical    morality, 
which  ic   afierteJ   to  be  the  aim  of  genuine  Mafoniy, 

faying, 


CHAP.  II.  THE    ILLUMINATI.  79 

faying,  that  a  true  mafon,  and  a  man  of  upright  heart 
and  adive  virtue,  are  iynonimous  characters,  and  that 
the  great  aim  of  Free  Mafonry  is  to  promote  the  hap- 
pincTs  of  mankind  by  every  mean  in  our  power,  in 
purfuance  of  thefe  principles,  the  Lodge  Theodore 
profelfedly  occupied  itfelf  with  ceconomical,  ftatifti- 
cal,  and  political  matters,  and  not  only  publifhed 
from  time  to  time  difcourfes  on  fuch  fubjedls  by  rhe 
Brother  Oracor,  but  the  Members  confidcred  them- 
fclves  as  in  duty  bound  to  propagate  and  inculcate  the 
fame  do6lrines  out  of  doors. 

Of  the  zealous  members  of  the  Lodge  Theodore 
the  mofl  confpicuous  was  Dr.  Adam  Weifliaupt,  Pro- 
fcffor  of  Canon  Law  in  the  Univerfity  of  Ingolftadt. 
This  perfon  had  been  educated  among  the  Jefuits  j 
but  the  abolition  of  their  order  made  him  change  his 
views,  and  from  being  their  pupil,  he  became  their 
mofl  bitter  enemy.  He  had  acquired  a  high  reputa- 
tion in  his  profefTion,  and  was  attended  not  only  by 
thofe  intended  for  the  practice  in  the  law-courts,  but 
alfo  by  young  gentlemen  at  large  in  their  courfc  of  ge- 
neral education  i  and  he  brought  numbers  from 
the  neighbouring  ftates  to  this  univerfity,  and  gave  a 
ton  to  the  frudies  of  the  place.  He  embraced  with 
great  keennefs  this  opportunity  of  fpreading  the  favo- 
rite do6lrines  of  the  Lodge,  and  his  auditory  became 
the  feminary  of  Colmo-politifm.  The  engaging  pic- 
tures of  the  poffible  felicity  of  a  fociety  Vv^here  every 
office  is  held  by  a  man  of  talents  and  virtue,  and  where 
every  talent  is  fct  in  a  place  fitted  for  its  exertion,  for- 
cibly catches  the  generous  and  unfufpecling  minds  of 
youth,  and  in  a  Roman  Catholic  Itate,  far  advanced 
in  the  habits  of  grofs  fuperllition  (a  charadler  given  to 
Bavaria  by  its  neighbours)  and  abounding  in  m.onks 
and  idle  dignitaries,  the  opportunities  muft  be  frequent 
for  obferving  the  inconfidcratc  dominion  of  the  clergy, 

and 


So  THE    ILLUMINATI.  CHAP.    ll. 

and  the  abje(5t  and  indolent  fubmiflion  of  the  laity. 
Accordingly  Profeflbr  Weifiiaupt  fays,  in  his  Apo,- 
logy  for  lUuminatifm,  that  Dcifm,  Infidelity,  and 
Atheifm  arc  more  prevalent  in  Bavaria  than  in  any 
country  he  was  acquainted  with.  Difcourfes,  there- 
fore, in  which  the  abfurdity  and  horrors  of  fuperfti- 
tion  and  fpiritual  tyranny  were  (Irongly  painted,  could 
not  fail  of  making  a  deep  impreflmn.  And  during 
this  ftate  of  the  minds  of  the  auditory  the  tranfition  to 
general  infidelity  and  irreligion  is  fo  eafy,  and  fo  invit- 
ing to  fanguine  youth,  prompted  perhaps  by  a  latent 
wiPn  that  the  reftraints  which  religion  impoles  on  the 
expedlants  of  a  future  ftate  might  be  found,  on  enquiry, 
to  be  nothing  but  groundlefs  terrors,  that  I  imagine  it 
requires  the  mofl  anxious  care  of  the  public  teacher 
to  keep  the  minds  of  his  audience  impreffcd  with  the 
reality  and  importance  of  the  great  truths  of  religion, 
while  he  frees  them  from  the  fhackles  of  blind  and  ab- 
furd  fuperftition.  I  fear  that  this  celebrated  inftruftor 
had  none  of  this  anxiety,  but  vi'as  fatisfied  with  his 
great  fuccefs  in  the  lad  part  of  this  tafk,  the  emancipa- 
tion of  his  young  hearers  from  the  terrors  of  fuperftition. 
1  fuppofe  alfo  that  this  was  the  more  agreeable  to  him, 
as  it  procured  him  the  triumph  over  the  Jefuits,  with 
whom  he  had  long  ftruggled  for  the  diredion  of  the 
univerfitv. 

This  was  in  1777.  Weifhaiipt  had  long  been 
fcheming  the  eitabhihrnent  of  an  AlTociaiion  or  Order, 
which,  in  time,  fliould  govern  the  world.  In  his  firft 
fervour  and  high  expectations,  he  hinted  to  feveral 
Ex- Jefuits  the  probability  of  their  recovering,  under 
a  new  name,  the  influence  which  they  formerly  pof- 
feffed,  and  of  being  again  of  great  fervice  to  fociety, 
by  direfting  the  education  of  youth  of  diftinflion,  row 
emancipated  from  all  civil  and  religious  prejudices. 
He  prevailed  on  fome  to  join  him,  but  tliry  all  retrac- 
ted 


CHAP.  II.  THE    ILLUMINATI*  St 

ted  but  two.  After  this  difappointment  WeiHiaupc 
became  the  implacable  enemy  ot'  the  Jefuits  i  and  his 
fanguine  temper  made  him  frequently  lay  himfeU  open 
to  tlieir  piercing  eye,  and  drew  on  him  their  kccneit 
refentmcnt,  and  ac  lal"i  made  him  the  viflim  of  their 
enmity. 

The  Lodge  Theodore  was  the  place  v/here  the 
above-mentioned  dodlrines  were  molt  zealoufly  propa^ 
gated.  BiJt  Weifnaupt's  cmiiTaries  had  already  pro- 
cured the  adherence  of  many  other  Lodges;  and  the 
Ecled;ic  .Mafonry  had  been  brought  into  vogue  chiefly 
by  their  exertions  at  the  Willemlbad  convention.  The 
Lodge  Theodore  was  perhaps  lefs  guarded  in  its  pro- 
ceedings, for  it  became  remarkable  for  the  very  bold 
fcntiments  in  policies  and  religion  v.'hich  v/ere  fre- 
quently uttered  in  their  harangues;  and  its  members 
were  noted  for  their  zeal  in  making  profelyceS.  Many 
bitter  pafquinades,  fatires,  and  other  offenfive  pam- 
phlets were  in  fee  ret  circulation,  and  even  larger  works 
of  very  dangerous  tendency,  and  leveral  of  them  were 
traced  to  that  Lodge.  The  Eleclor  often  cxpreircd 
his  dillipprobatian  of  fuch  proceedings,  and  fenc  them 
kind  meifao-es,  defirin.Q;  them  to  be  careful  not  to  dif- 
turb  tlie  peace  of  the  country,  and  particularly  to  re- 
collccl  the  folemn  declaration  made  to  every  entrant 
into  the  Fraternity  of  Free  Mafons,  "  That  no  fubjeit 
"  of  religion  or  politics  fnail  ever  be  touched  on  in 
'*  theI>odge;"  a  declaration  which  alone  could  have 
procured  his  jicrmiHion  of  any  fccrct  affembly  v*'hat- 
cver,  and  on  the  fmcerity  and  honour  of  v/hich  he  had 
reckoned  v^hen  he  gave  his  fanction  to  their  eftablifli- 
ment.  But  repeated  accounts  of  the  fame  kind  in- 
creafed  the  alarms,  and  the  Elector  ordered  a  judicial 
enquiry  into  the  proceedings  of  the  Lodge  Theodore. 

It  v^/a.ii  then  difcovercd  that  this  and  feveral  afibciated 
Lodges  were  the  nurfery  or  preparation  fchool  for  an- 

L  other 


tl  THE    ILLVMINATI.  CHAP.  II. 

Other  Order  of  Mafons,  who  called  themiclves  the 
Illumi>xateDj  and  that  the  cxprcfs  aim  of  this  Order 
was  CO  abolilli  Chriftianity,  and  overturn  ail  civil  go- 
vernment. But  the  refult  of  the  enquiry  was  very  im- 
perfect and  unfatisfaftory.  No  illuminati  were  to  be 
found.  They  were  unknown  in  the  Lodge.  Some 
of  the  members  occafionally  heard  of  certain  candi- 
dates for  illumination  called  Minervals,  who  were 
fometimes  feen  among  them.  But  whether  thefe  had 
been  admitted,  or  who  received  them,  was  known 
only  to  themfelves.  Some  of  thefe  were  examined  in 
private  by  the  Elcdor  himfelf.  They  faid  that  they 
were  bound  by  honour  to  fecrecy :  But  they  affured 
the  Eledor,  on  their  honour,  that  the  aim  of  the  Or- 
der was  in  the  higheil  degree  praife-worchy,  and  ufe- 
ful  both  to  church  and  (late.  But  this  could  not  allay 
the  anxiety  of  the  profane  public  j  and  it  was  repeat- 
edly Itated  to  the  Eleflor,  that  members  of  the  Lodge 
Theodore  had  unguardedly  fpoken  of  this  Order  as 
one  that  in  time  mufb  rule  the  world.  Ke  therefore 
ilfued  an  order  forbidding,  during  his  pleafure,  all  le- 
cret  affcmblies,  and  fhucting  up  the  Mafon  Lodges. 
It  was  not  meant  to  be  rigoroufiy  enforced,  but  was 
intended  as  a  trial  of  the  deference  of  thefe  AfTociationS 
for  civil  authority.  The  Lodge  Theodore  difiin- 
guiflied  itfelf  by  pointed  oppoficion,  continuing  its 
meetings;  and  the  members,  out  of  doors,  openly  re- 
probated the  prohibition  as  an  abfurd  and  uniuftinable 
tyranny. 

In  the  beginning  of  1783,  four  profeflbrs  of  the 
Marianen  Academy,  founded  by  the  widow  of  the  late 
Elcdor,  viz.  Utfchncider,  CofTandey,  Renncr,  and 
Grunberger,  with  two  others,  were  fummoned  before 
the  Court  of  Enquiry,  and  qucllioned,  on  their  alle- 
giance, rtfpeding  the  Order  of  the  Illuminati.  They 
acknov^ledged   that   they   belonged   to  it,    and   when 

more 


jCHAP.  Ii>  THE    ILLUMINATI.  <:)J 

more  clotely  examined,  they  related  feveral  circum- 
ftances  of  its  contlitiition  and  principles.  Their  de- 
clarations were  immediately  publifhcd,  and  were  very 
unfavourable.  The  Order  was  laid  to  abjure  Chrilli- 
anity,  and  to  refufe  admiiTion  into  the  iiigher  degrees 
po  all  who  adhered  to  any  of  the  three  confefTions. 
Senfual  pleafures  were  rcftorcd  to  the  rank  they  held 
in  the  Epicurean  philofophy.  Self-murder  was  julli- 
fied  on  Stoical  principles.  In  the  Lodges  death  was 
declared  an  eternal  deep  j  patriorifm  and  loyalty  were 
called  narrow-minded  prejudices,  and  incompatible 
with  univerfal  benevolence;  continual  declamations 
v/ere  made  on  liberty  and  equality  as  the  unalienable 
rights  of  man.  The  baneful  influence  of  accumulated 
property  was  declared  an  infurmountablc  obdacle  to 
the  happinefs  of  any  nation  whofe  chief  laws  were 
framed  for  its  proteftion  and  increafe.  Nothing  was 
fo  frequently  difcourfed  of  as  the  propriety  of  employ- 
ing, for  a  good  purpofe,  the  means  which  the  wicked 
employed  for  evil  purpofes;  and  it  was  rau^rht,  that 
the  preponderancy  of  good  in  the  ultimate  refult  con- 
fecrated  every  mean  employed;  and  that  wifdom  and 
virtue  confided  in  properly  determining  this  balance. 
This  appeared  big  with  danger,  becaufe  it  feemed 
evident  that  nothing  would  be  fcrupled  at,  if  it  could 
be  made  appear  that  the  Order  Vv'ould  derive  advantao-e 
from  it,  becaufe  the  great  objefi:  of  the  Order  was  held 
as  fuperior  to  every  confideration.  They  concluded 
by  faying  that  the  method  of  education  made  them  all 
fpies  on  each  other  and  on  all  around  them.  But  all 
this  was  denied  by  the  liiuminati.  Some  of  thefe  te- 
nets were  faid  to  be  abfolutely  falfe  ;  and  the  reft  were 
faid  to  be  miftakes.  The  apoftate  profeflbrs  had  ac- 
knowledged their  ignorance  of  many  things.  Two  of 
them  were  only  Mineryak,  another  was  an  Illuminatus 
!of  t!ie  loweft- clafs,  and   the  fourth   was   but  one   ftep 

farrVi.er 


84  THE    ILLUMINATT.  CHAP.  II. 

farther  p.dvanced.  Pamphlets  appeared  on  both  fides, 
with  very  little  effcft.  The  Eledor  called  before  him 
one  of  the  fuperiors,  a  young  nobleman,  who  denied 
thofe'injurious  charges,  and  laid  that  they  were  ready 
to  Isv  before  his  Hiri,hnefs  their  whole  arcliives  and  ail 
conftitutional  papers. 

Notv.'ithllanding  all  this,  the  government  had  re- 
ceived fiich  an  impreffion  of  the  dangerous  tendency 
of  the  Order,  that  the  Ele<5tor  ilTued  another  eciitl, 
forbidding  all  hidden  aiTcmblies ;  and  a  third,  exprefsly 
abolifliing  the  Order  of  Illuminati.  It  was  followed 
by  a  fearch  after  their  papers.  The  Lodge  Theodore 
was  immediately  fearched,  but  none  were  to  be  found. 
They  faid  now  that  they  burnt  them  all,  as  of  no  ufe, 
fince  chat  Order  was  at  an  end. 

It  was  now  difcovered,  that  Weifliaupt  was  the  head 
and  founder  of  the  Order.  He  was  deprived  of  his 
ProfefTor's  chair,  and  banifned  from  the  Bavarian 
States  ;  but  with  a  penfion  of  8co  florins,  which  he 
refufed.  J-Iewcnt..  to  Regenfburgh,  on  the  confines 
'  of  Switzerland.  Two  Italians,  chc  Marquis  Confcanza 
and  Marquis  Savioli,  were  alfo  banifhcd,  with  equal 
penfions,  (about  L.  40,)  which  they  accepted.  Or.e 
Zwack,  a  counfellor,  holding  fome  law-office,  was 
alfo  banifhcd.  Others  were  imprifoned  for  fome  time. 
Weifliaupt  went  afterwards  into  the  fervice  of  the  D.. 
of  Saxe  Gotha,  a  pcrfon  of  a  romantic  turn  of  mind, 
and  whom  we  fhall  again  meet  with.  Zwack  went 
.into  the  fervice  of  the  Pr.  de  Salms,  who  foon  after 
had  fo  areat  a  hand  in  the  difturfbances  in  Holland. 

By  deflroying  the  papers,  all  opportunity  was  lofl 
for  authencicatino;  the  innocence  and  ufefulnefs  of  the 
Order.  After  much  altercation  and  paper  war,  Weif- 
haupt,  now  fafe  in  Regenfourg,  publiflied  an  account 
of  the  Order,  naniely,  the  account  which  was  given 
to  every  Novice  in  a  diftourfe  read  at  his  reception. 

To 


CHAP.  II.  THE  ILLUMINATI.  85 

To  this  were  added  the  ilatutes  and  the  rules  of  pro- 
ceeding, as  far  as  the  degree  of ///^i.w;?^/^/^  Minor ^  in- 
cluded. This  account  he  affirmed  to  be  conformable 
to  the  real  practice  of  the  Order.  But  this  publication 
did  by  no  means  fatisfy  the  public  mind.  It  differed 
exceedingly  from  the  accounts  given  by  the  four  pro- 
feffors.  It  made  no  mention  of  the  higher  degrees, 
which  had  been  moft  blamed  by  them.  Befides,  it 
was  alleged,  that  it  was  all  a  fiftion,  written  in  order 
to  lull  the  fufpicions  which  had  been  raifed  (and  this 
was  found  co  be  the  cafe,  except  in  refpeft  of  the  very 
lowefl  degree).  Tlie  real  conllitution  was  brought  to 
light  by  degrees,  and  fhall  be  laid  before  the  reader, 
in  the  order  in  which  it  was  gradually  difcovcred,  that 
we  may  the  better  judge  of  things  not  fully  known  by 
tiie  condudi  of  the  leaders  durin*?  the  detection.  The 
firfl:  account  given  by  Weiiliaupc  is  corre'dl,  as  far  as  I 
ihall  make  wiz  of  ir,  and  fliows  clearly  the  methods 
that  were  taken  to  recommend  the  Order  to  flran- 
gers. 

The  Order  of  Illuminati  apoears  as  an  acceflbry 
to  Free  Mafonry.  Ic  is  in  the  Lodges  of  Free  Mafons 
that  the  Minervals  are  found,  and  there  they  are  pre- 
pared for  Illumination.  They  mufi:  have  previoufiy  ob- 
tained the  three  Engliih  degrees.  The  founder  fays  more. 
He  fays  that  his  do6irincs  are  the  only  true  Free  Mafonry. 
He  w as  t lie  c  h i c f  p  ro  m  o te  r  o  f  ch  e  Eclectic  Syftem .  T  h  i  s  ! i  e . 
urged  as  the  beft  method  for  getting  information  of  all 
the  explanations  which  have  been  given  of  the  Mafonic 
Myfteries.  He  was  alfo  a  Stri5f  Objervaivz^  and  an 
adept  Rofycrucian.  The  rcfult  of  all  his  knowledge  is 
worthy  of  particular  remark,  and  fhall  therefore  be 
friven  at  larsre. 

"  I  declare,"  fays  he,  "  and  I   challenge  all  man- 
"  kind  to  contradid  my  declara'-io.n,  that  no  rnm   can 


''  give 


S6  THE  ILLUMINATf.  CHAP.   If. 


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give  any  account  of  rhe  Order  of  Free  Mifjnry,  of 
its  origin,  of  its  hifbory,  of  its  objeft,  nor  any  ex- 
planation of  its  myfterics  and  fymbols,  which  does 
not  leave  the  mind  in  total  uncertainty  on  all  thefe 
points.  Every  man  is  entitled,  therefore,  to  give 
any  explanation  of  the  fymbols,  and  any  fyllcm  cf 
the  doctrines,  that  he  can  render  palatable.  Hence 
have  fprung  up  that  variety  of  fyftems  which  for 
twenty  years  have  divided  the  Order.  The  fim- 
*^  pie  tale  of  the  Englifh,  and  the  fifty  degrees  of 
*^  the  French,  and  the  Knights  of  Baron  Hunde,  are 
*'  equally  authentic,  and  have  equally  had  the  fupport 
*'  of  intelligent  and  zealous  Brethren.  Thefe  fyltems 
<'  are  in  fa6l  but  one.  They  have  all  fprung  from  the 
*'  Blue  Lodge  of  Three  degrees  i  take  thefe  (or  their 
"  (tandard,  and  i'ound  on  thefe  all  the  improvements 
"  by  which  each  fyitem  is  aftervs^ards  fuited  to  the  par- 
''  ticular  obje61:  which  it  keeps  in  view.  There  is  no 
*'  man,  nor  fyftem,  in  the  world,  which  can  fliow  by 
*'  undoubted  fuccelllon  that  it  fliould  ftand  at  the  head 
<'  of  the  Order.  Our  ignorance  in  this  particular  frets 
*'  me.  Do  but  confider  our  fncrt  hiftory  of  i2o  years. 
cc  — Who  will  fhow  me  the  Mother  Lodge  ?  Thofe 
«'  of  London  we  have  difcovered  to  be  fclf-crefted  in 
"  17 16.  Aflc  for  their  archives.  They  tell  you  they 
«'  were  burnt.  They  have  nothing  but  the  wretched 
f)phiftications  of  the  Englifiiman  Anderfon,  and 
the  Frenchman  Defaguiiliers.  Where  is  the  Lodge 
of  York,  v/hich  pretends  to  the  priority,  with  their 
"  King  Bouden,  and  the  archives  that  he  brought  from 
*'  the  Eaft  ?  Thefe  too  are  all  burnt.  What  is  the 
"  Chapter  of  Old  Aberdeen,  and  its  Holy  Clericatc  ? 
"  Did  v/e  not  find  it  unknown,  and  the  Mafon  Lodges 
f*  there  the  mod  ignorant  of  all  the  ignorant,  gaping 
"  for  inftruflion  from  our  deputies  ?  Did  we  not  find 
?^  the    fame    thing   at  London  ^  and  have    not  their 

"  mifilonaries 


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CHAP.  11.  THE  ILLUMINATI.  87 

"  miflionaries  been  among  usj  prying  into  our  myfte- 
^^  lies,  and  eager  to  learn  from  us  svhac  is  true  Free 
*'  Malbnry  ?  It  is  in  vain,  rhertTore,  to  appeal  to 
judges  i  they  are  no  where  to  be  found  j  ail  claim 
for  themlelves  the  fceptre  of  the  Order;  all  indeed 
are  on  an  equal  footing.  They  obtakied  followers, 
not  from  their  authenticity,  but  from  their  condu- 
civenefs  to  the  end  which  they  propofed,  and  from 
the  importance  of  that  end.  It  is  by  this  fcale  that 
we  mult  mcakire  th.e  mad  and  wiciLed  explanations 
*^  of  the  RoJycrucians,  the  Exorcifts,  and  Cabalifts. 
Thefc  are  rejected  by  all  good  Mafons,  becaufc  in- 
compatible withfocial  happinefs.  Only  fuch  fyitems 
as  promote  this  are  retained.  But  alas,  they  are  ail 
fadly  deficient,  bccaufe  they  leave  us  under  the  do- 
minion of  political  and  religious  prejudices  ;  and 
they  are  as -inefficient  as  the  lleepy  dofc  of  an  ordi- 
*'  nary  fermon. 

"  But  I  have  contrived  an  explanation  which  has 
"  every  advantage  -,  is  inviting  to  Chriftians  of  every 
"  communion  -,  gradually  frees  them  from  all  religious 
**  prejudices  ;  cultivates  the  focial  virtues ;  and  ani- 
**  marcs  them  by  a  great,  afeafible,  andj/|;^^^  profpedt 
*'  of  univerfal  happinefs,  in  ailate  of  liberty  and  mo- 
"  ral  equality,  freed  from  the  obfracles  v;hich  fubordi- 
**^  nation,  rank,  and  riches,  concinualiy  throw  in  our 
*'  way.  My  explanation  is  accuraue,  and  complete, 
"  my  means  are  elfedual,  and  irrefillible.  Our  fecrec 
"  Aflbciation  works  in  a  way  that  nothing  can  with- 
fcand,  a/2d  man  JJoallJccn  he  free  atd  'hf.t-py. 

This  is  the  great  object  held  out  by  this  AiFocia- 
*^  tion,  and  the  means  of  attaining  it  is  Illumination, 
enlightening  the  underftanding  by  thf:  fun  of  reafon, 
wifjch  will  difpel  the  clouds  of  fuperliition  and  ofpre- 
jiidice.  The  proficients  in  this  Order  nre  therefore 
juftly  named  ehe  Iliuminated.     And  cf  all  Illumina- 

'*  tion 


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88  Tilt  ILLUMINATI.  CHAP.   II. 

tion  which  liuman  realon  can  give,  none  is  compara- 
ble to  the  difcovcry  of  what  we  arc,  our  nature,  our 
obligations,  what  happincL  we  are  capable  of,  and 
what  are  the  means  of  attaining  it.  In  comparifoii 
with  this,  the  moll  brilliant  fciences  arc  but  amufc- 
ments  for  the  idle  and  luxurious.  To  tit  man  by 
Illumination  for  active  virtue,  to  engage  him  to  it 
by  the  ilrongeft  motives,  to  render  the  attainment 
of  it  eafy  and  certain,  by  finding  employmient  for 
every  talent,  and  by  placing  every  talent  in  its  pro- 
per Iphere  of  adion,  l"o  that  all,  without  feeling  any 
extraordinary  effort,  and  in  conjundiion  with  and 
completion  of  ordinary  bufinefs,  Ihall  urge  forward, 
with  united  powers,  the  general  talk.  This  indeed 
will  be  an  employment,  fuited  to  noble  natures, 
grand  in  its  views,  and  delightful  in  its.  exercife. 
"  And  whatis  this  general  objedt  ?  the  happiness 
OF  THE  HUMAN  RACE.  Js  it  Jiot  diilrcfTing  to  a 
generous  mind,  after  comtcmplating  wh::t  human 
nature  is  capable  of,  to  lee  how  little  we  enjoy  ^ 
When  Vt'e  look  at  this  goodly  v.'orld,  and  fee  that 
every  man  tnay  be  happy,  but  that  the  happinefs  of 
one  depends  on  the  conduit  of  another  -,  whtn  we 
fee  the  wicked  fo  powerful  and  the  good  ih  weak  ; 
and  that  it  is  in  vain  to  ftrive  fmgly  and  alone,  againft 
the  general  current  of  vice  and  opprefTion  :  the  wilh 
naturally  arifcs  in  the  mind,  that  ic  were  pofTible  to 
form  a  durable  combination  of  the  moll  worthy 
peifons,  who  fliould  work  together  in  removing  the 
obftacles  to  human  happinefs,  become  terrible  to 
the  wicked,  and  give  their  aid  to  all  the  good  v»'ith- 
out  diflincdon,  and  Ihould,  by  the  molr  powerful 
means,  firft  fetter,  and  by  fettering,  leiien  vice  ; 
means  which  atthe  fame  time  fliould  promote  virtue, 
by  rendering  the  inclina:ion  to  reiStiiude  hitherto  fo 

feeble. 


CHAP.   II.  THE  ILLUMINATI,  8^ 

*^  feeble,  more  powerful  and  engaging.     Wo'.ilJ  not 
'^  fuch  an  afibciation  be  a  bleffing  to  the  world  ? 

^'  But  where  are  the  proper  perfons,  the  good,  the 
*^  generocs,  and  the  accompiillied,  to  be  found  -,  and 
"  how,  and  by  v/hat  ftrong  motives,  are  they  to  be 
*^  induced  to  engage  in  a  tafK  fo  vaft,  fo  inceflant,  fo 
^'  difficult,  and  fo  laborious  ?  This  AiTociation  muft 
•^  be  gradual.  There  are  fome  fuch  prrfons  to  be 
*'  found  in  every  fociety.  Such  noble  minds  will  be 
"  engaged  by  the  heart-warming  object.  The  firit  tafk 
'^  of  the  Aifociation  mufi:  therefore  be  to  form  the 
young  members.  As  thefe  multiply  and  advance, 
they  become  the  apoftles  of  beneficence,  and  the 
"  work  is  now  on  foot,  and  advances  with  a  fpeed  en- 
"  creafing  every  day.  The  flighceft  obfervation  fliows 
"  thau  nothing  will  fo  much  contribute  to  increafe  the 
*^  zeal  c  f  the  members  as  fecrct  union.  We  fee  with 
*'  what  keennefs  and  zeal  the  frivolous  bufinefs  of 
*^  Free  Mafonry  is  conduced,  by  perfons  knit  toge- 
*'  ther  by  the  fecrecy  of  their  union.  It  is  ncedlefs  to 
enquire  into  the  caufes  of  this  zeal  which  fecrecy 
produces.  It  is  an  univerfai  fa6l,  confirmed  by  the 
hiftory  of  every  age.  Let  this  circumftance  of  our 
"  conftitution  therefore  be  direfted  to  this  noble  pur- 
"  pofe,  and  then  ail  the  objections  urged  againft  it  by 
jealous  tyranny  and  affrighted  fuperftition  willvaniih. 
The  order  will  thus  work  filently,  and  fecurely  j 
and  though  the  generous  benefaftors  of  the  human 
race  are  thus  deprived  of  the  applaufe  of  the  world, 
they  have  the  noble  pleafure  of  feeing  their  work 
profperin  their  hands." 
Such  is  the  aim,  and  fuch  are  the  hopes  of  the  Or- 
der of  the  Illuminated.  Let  us  now  fee  hovvthcfe  were 
to  be  accom.pliflied.  We  cannot  judge  with  perfe(5t 
certainty  of  this,  becaufe  the  account  given  of  the  con- 
ftitution of  the  Order  by  its  founder  includes  only  the 

M  loweft 


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()0  THE  ILLUMINATI.  CHAP.   IT. 

lowefl  degree,  and  even  this  is  liable  to  great  fufpicion. 
The   accounts  given  by  the  four  ProfcfTors,  even   of 
this  part  of  the  Order,  make  a  very  different  imprefTion 
on  the  mind,  although  they  differ  only  in  a  few  parti- 
culars. 

The  only  oflenfiblc  members  of  the  Order  were  the 
Minervals.  They  were  to  be  found  only  in  the  Lodges 
of  Fj-ee  Mafons.  A  candidate  for  admifllon  muftmakc 
his  vviHi  known  to  fome  Minerval  j  he  reports  it  to  a 
Superior,  who,  by  a  channel  to  be  explained  prefcntly, 
intimates  it  to  the  Council.  No  notice  is  farther  taken 
of  it  for  fome  time.  The  candidate  is  carefully  ob- 
ferved  in  filcnce,  and  if  thought  unfit  for  the  Order, 
no  notice  is  taken  of  his  folicitation.  But  ifotherwife, 
the  candidate  receives  privately  an  invitation  to  a  con- 
ference. Here  he  meets  with  a  perfon  unknown  to 
him,  and,  previous  to  all  further  conference,  he  is  re- 
quired to  perufe  and  to  fign  the  following  oath  : 

I,  N.  N.  hereby  bind  myfelf,  by  mine  honouf 
and  good  name,  forfwearing  all  mental  refervation, 
never  to  reveal,  by  hint,  word,  writing,  or  in  any 
manner  whatever,  even  to  my  moft  trufted  friend, 
any  thing  that  fhall  now  be  faid  or  done  to  me  re- 
fpe6ling  my  wlfhed-for  reception,  and  this  whether 
my  reception  (hall  follow  or  not,  I  being  previoufly 
afuired  that  it  fliall  contain  nothing  contrary  to  reli- 
gion, the  ftate,  nor  good  manners.  I  promife,  that 
I  Hiall  make  no  intelligible  extract  from  any  papers 
which  fhall  be  fhevvn  me  now  or  during  my  novi- 
**  ciate.  All  this  I  fwear,  as  I  am,  and  as  I  hope  to 
"  continue,  a  Man  of  Honour." 

The  urbanity  of  this  proteftation  muft  agreeably 
imprefs  the  mind  of  a  pcrlon  who  recoUefts  the  dread- 
ful imprecations  which  he  made  at  his  reception  into 
the  different  ranks  of  Free  Mafonry.  The  candidate 
Is  then  introduced  to  an   Ilhiminatus  Dirigens,  whom 

perhaps 


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CHAP.   II.  THE    ILLUMINATI.  gi 

perhaps  he  knows,  and  is  told  that  this  perfon  is  to  be 
his  future  inftrLi(5tor.  There  is  now  prclented  to  the 
candidate,  what  they  call  a  table,  in  which  he  writes 
his  name,  place  of  birth,  age,  rank,  place  ofrefidence, 
profefTion,  and  favourite  iludies.  He  is  then  made 
to  read  leveral  articles  of  this  table.  It  contains,  ly?, 
a  very  concife  account  of  the  Order,  its  conne6tion 
with  Free  Mafonry,  and  its  great  objeft,  the  promo- 
ting the  happinefs  of  mankind  by  means  of  inftrudion 
and  confirmation  in  virtuous  principles,  id,  Several 
queftions  relative  to  the  Order.  Among  thefe  are, 
*'  What  advantages  he  hopes  to  derive  from  being  a 
"  member  ?  What  he  moft  particularly  wiOies  to 
learn  ?  What  delicate  queftions  relative  to  the  life, 
the  profpefts,  the  duties  of  man,  as  an  individual, 
and  as  a  citizen,  he  willies  to  have  particularly  dif- 
cuiTed  to  him  ?  In  what  refpefts  he  thinks  he  can 
"  be  of  ufe  to  the  Order  ?  Who  are  his  anceftors,  re- 
lations, friends,  correfpondents,  or  enemies  ?  Whom 
he  thinks  proper  perfons  to  be  received  into  the 
"  Order,  or  whom  he  thinks  unfit  for  it,  and  the  rea- 
'^  fons  for  both  opinions  ?"  To  each  of  thefe  queftions 
he  muft  give  fome  anfwer  in  writing. 

The  Novice  and  his  Mentor  are  known  only  to  each 
others  perhaps  nothing  more  follows  upon  this;  if 
otherwife,  the  Mentor  appoints  another  conference, 
and  begins  his  inftrutftions,  by  giving  him  in  detail 
certain  portions  of  the  conftitution,  and  of  the  funda- 
mental rules  of  the  Order.  Of  thefe  the  Novice  mufc 
give  a  weekly  account  in  writing.  He  muft  alfo  read, 
in  the  Mentor's  houfe,  a  book  containing  more  of  the 
inftru6lions  of  the  Order;  but  he  muft  make  no  ex- 
trads.  Yet  from  tliis  reading  he  muft  derive  all  his 
knowledge;  and  he  muft  give  an  account  in  v/riting 
of  his  progrefs.  All  writings  received  from  his  Supe- 
riors muft  be   returned  with   a  ftated  pun^^ualiiv. — 

Thefe 


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92  THE    ILLUMINATI.  CHAP.  II. 

Thefe  writings  confifh  chiefiy  ©f  important  and  delicate 
queftions,  fuited,  either  to  the  particular  inclination, 
or  to  the  peculiar  tafte  which  the  candidate  had  difco- 
vered  in  his  lubfcriptions  of  the  articles  of  the  table, 
and  in  his  former  rcfcripts,  or  to  the  direflion  which 
the  Mentor  wifhcs  to  give  to  his  thoughts. 

Enlightening  the  underftanding,  and  the  rooting  out 
of  prejudices,  are  pointed  out  to  him  as  the  principal 
laflvs  of  his  noviciate.  The  knowledge  of  himfelf  is 
confidered  as  preparatory  to  all  other  knowledge.  To 
difclofe  to  him,  by  means  of  the  calm  and  unbialTed 
obfervation  of  his  inllruftor,  what  is  his  own  charafter, 
his  mod  vulnerable  fide„  either  in  refpeft  of  temper, 
paffions,  or  prepoffeiTions,  is  therefore  the  mod  elTen- 
tial  fervice  that  can  be  done  him.  For  this  purpofe 
there  is  required  of  him  fome  account  of  his  own  con- 
dutt  on  occafions  where  he  doubted  of  its  propriety; 
fome  account  of  his  friendiliips,  of  his  differences  of 
opinion,  and  of  his  condufl  on  fuch  occafions.  From 
fuch  relations  the  Superior  learns  his  manner  of  think- 
ing and  judging,  and  thofe  propenfities  which  require 
his  chief  attention. 

Having  made  the  candidate  acquainted  with  himfelf, 
he  is  apprifed  that  the  Order  is  not  a  fpeculative,  but 
an  adlive  afibciation,  engaged  in  doing  good  to  others. 
The  knowledge  of  human  chara6lcr  is  therefore  of  all 
others  the  moil  important.  This  is  acquired  only  by 
obfervation,  affifted  by  the  inftruftions  of  his  teacher. 
Chara6lers  in  hifrory  are  propofed  to  him  for  obferva- 
tion, and  his  opinion  is  required.  After  this  he  is  di- 
rected to  look  around  him,  and  to  notice  the  condudl 
of  other  m.en ;  and  part  of  his  weekly  refcripts  muft 
confift  of  accounts  of  all  interefting  occurrences  in  his 
neighbourhood,  whether  of  a  public  or  private  nature. 
ColTandey,  one  of  the  four  Profeflers,  gives  a  parti- 
cular account  of  the  inftrudions  relating  to  this  kind 

of 


CHAP.  11.  THE    ILLUMINATl. 


93 


of  fcience.  "  The  Novice  muft  be  attentive  to  tri- 
"  fles  :  For  in  frivolous  occurrences  a  man  is  indolent, 
"  and  makes  no  effort  to  ad:  a  part,  fo  that  his  real 
^'^  charader  is  then  adting  alone.  Nothing  will  have 
^^  fuch  influence  with  the  Superiors  in  promoting  the 
'^  advancement  of  a  candidate  as  very  copious  narra- 
**  tions  of  this  kind,  becaufc  the  candidate,  if  promo- 
'•'  ted,  is  to  be  employed  in  an  aftive  ftation,  and  it 
*'  is  from  this  kind  of  information  only  that  the  Supe- 
"  riors  can  judge  of  his  fitnefs.  Thefe  characfceriftic 
"  anecdotes  are  not  for  the  inftruftion  of  the  Superi- 
5^  ors,  who  are  men  of  long  experience,  and  familiar 
"  with  fuch  occupation.  But  they  inform  the  Order 
*'  concerning  the  talents  and  proficiency  of  the  young 
«*  member.  Scientific  inftruftion,  being  Gonnefted 
*'  by  fyftem,  is  foon  communicated,  and  may  in  ge- 
*'  neral  be  very  completely  obtained  from  the  books 
*'  which  are  recommended  to  the  Novice,  and  acqui- 
"  red  in  the  public  fcminaries  of  inftrudlion.  But 
*^  knowledge  of  character  is  more  multifarious  and 
"  more  delicate.  For  this  there  is  no  college,  and  it 
"  muft  therefore  require  longer  time  for  its  attainment. 
"  Befides,  this  affiduous  and  long  continued  ftudy  of 
"  men,  enables  the  polTefTor  of  iiich  knowledge  to  a6l 
"  with  men,  and  by  his  knowledge  of  their  charadler, 
"  to  influence  their  condufl.  For  fuch  reafons  this 
ftudy  is  continued,  and  thefe  refcripts  are  required, 
during  the  whole  progrefs  through  the  Order,  and 
attention  to  them  is  recom.mended  as  the  only  mean 
"  of  advancement.  Remarks  on  Phyfiognomy  ia 
''  thefe  narrations  are  accounted  of  confidcrable  va- 
«  lue."     So  far  Mr.  CoiTandey. 

During  all  this  trial,  which  may  laft  one,  two,  or 
three  years,  the  Novice  knows  no  perfon  of  the  Order 
but  his  own  inftruClor,  with  whom  he  has  frequent 
meetings,  along  with  other  Minervals.     In  thefe  con- 

vcrfacions 


tt 


94  THE    ILLUMINATI.  CHAP.   II. 

verfations  he  learns  the  impvortancc  of  the  Order,  and 
the  opportunities  he  will  afterwards  have  of  acquiring 
much  hidden  fcience.  The  employment  of  his  un- 
known Superiors  naturally  caufes  him  to  entertain  very 
high  notions  of  their  abilities  and  worth.  He  is  coun- 
iclled  to  aim  at  a  rcfemblance  to  them  by  getting  rid 
by  degrees  of  all  thofe  prejudices  or  prepoHclfions 
whicii  checked  his  own  former  progrefsj  and  he  is  af- 
fifted  in  this  endeavour  by  an  invitation  to  a  correfpon- 
dence  with  them.  He  may  addrefs  his  Provincial 
Superior,  by  direding  his  letter  Soli,  or  the  General 
by  Primo,  or  the  Superiors  in  general  by  ^ibus  licet. 
In  thefe  letters  he  may  mention  whatever  he  thinks 
conducive  to  the  advancement  of  the  Order;  he  may 
Inform  the  Superiors  how  his  inftruclor  behaves  to 
him;  if  alTiduous  or  remifs,  indulgent  or  fevere.  The 
Superiors  are  enjoined  by  the  ftrongeft  motives  to  con- 
vey thefe  letters  wherever  addrcfled.  None  but  the 
General  and  Council  know  the  refult  of  all  this;  and 
ail  are  enjoined  to  keep  themfelves  and  their  proceed- 
ings unknown  to  all  the  world. 

If  three  years  of  this  Noviciate  have  elapfed  with-- 
out  further  notice,  the  Minerval  muft  look  for  no  fur- 
ther advancement;  he  is  found  unfit,  and  remains  a 
Free  Mafon  of  the  higheft  clafs.  This  is  called  a  Sta 
bene. 

But  fliould  his  Superiors  judge  more  favourably  of 
him,  he  is  drawn  out  of  the  general  mafs  of  Free 
Mafons,  and  becomes  Tilu'ininatiis  Minor.  When  call- 
ed to  a  conference  for  this  purpoie,  he  is  told  in  the 
moft  ferious  manner,  that  "  it  is  vain  for  him  to  hope 
"  to  acquire  wifdom  by  mere  fyftematic  inftruftion  ; 
"  for  fuch  inRruftion  the  Superiors  have  no  leifure. 
'^  Their  duty  is  liat  to  form  fpeculators,  but  a6live 
'^  men,  whom  they  muft  immediately  employ  in-  the 
'^  fervice  of  the  Order.     He  muft  therefore  grow  wife 

''  and 


CHAP.  II.  THE    ILLUMINATI.  95 

and  able  entirely  by  the  unfolding  and  exertion  of 
his  own  talents.  His  Superiors  have  already  difco- 
vered  what  thefe  are,  and  know  what  fervice  he  may 
be  capable  of  rendering  the  Order,  provided  he 
now  heartily  acquiefces  in  being  thus  honourably 
employed.  They  will  affift  him  in  bringing  his  ta- 
lents into  adlion,  and  will  place  him  in  the  fitua- 
tions  mod  favourable  for  their  exertion,  fo  that  he 
may  be  ajfured  of  fuccefs.  Hitherto  he  has  been  a 
mere  fcholar,  but  his  firft  ftep  farther  carries  him 
into  a6lion ;  he  muft  therefore  now  confider  himfelf 
as  an  inirrument  in  the  hands  of  his  Superiors,  to 
be  ufed  for  the  nobleft  purpofes."  The  aim  of  the 
order  is  now  more  fully  told  him.  It  is,  in  one  fcn- 
tence,  "  to  make  of  the  human  race,  v/ithout  any 
"  diftinftion  of  nation,  condition,  or  profcflion,  one 
*^  good  and  happy  family.''  To  this  aim,  demonllra- 
bly  attainable,  every  fmaller  confideration  muft  give 
way.  This  may  fometimes  require  facrifices  which  no 
man  ftanding  alone  has  fortitude  to  make  ;  but  which 
become  light,  and  a  fource  of  the  pureft  enjoyment, 
when  fupported  and  encouraged  by  the  countenance 
and  co-operation  of  the  united  wife  and  and  good, 
luch  as  are  the  Superiors  of  the  Order.  If  the  candi- 
date, warmed  by  the  alluring  pifture  of  the  ponible 
happinefs  of  a  virtuous  Society,  fays  that  he  is  fcnfi- 
ble  of  the  propriety  of  this  procedure,  and  ftill  wifhes 
to  be  of  the  Order,  he  is  required  to  fign  the  following 
obligation. 

"  I,  N.  N.  proteft  before  you,  the  worthy  Pleni- 
potentiary of  the  venerable  Order  into  v;hich  I  wifli 
to  be  admitted,  that  I  acknowledge  my  natural 
weaknefs  and  inability,  and  that  J^- with  all  my  pof- 
*'  fcflions,  rank,  honours,  and  titles  which  I  hold  in 
"  political  fociety,  am,  at  bottom,  only  a  man  -,  I 
*'  can  enjoy  thefe  things  only  through  my  fellovv'-men, 

•.  "  and 


cc 

(C 


^6  THE    ILLUMINATI.  CHAP.    II. 

"  and  through  them  alfo  I  may  lofe  them.     The  ap- 
"  probation  and  confideration  of  my  fellow-men  are 
"  indifpenfably   ncceflary,  and  1  mult  try  to  maintain 
"  them  by  all  my  talents.     Thefe  I  will  never  life  to 
"  the  prejudice  of  univerfal  good,  but   will  oppofe, 
"  v/ith  all  my  might,  the  enemies  of  the  human  race, 
"  and  of  political  fociety.     1  will  embrace  every  op- 
*^  portunicy  of  laving  mankind,  by  improving  my  un- 
"  derftanding  and  my  affedlions,  and  by  imparting  all 
"  important  knowledge,  as   the  good  and  ftatutes  of 
**  this  Order  require  of  me.     I  bind  myfelf  to  perpe- 
"  tual  filence  and  unfliaken  loyalty  and  fubmifiion  to 
"  the  Order,  in    the  perfons  of  my  Superiors;  here 
*^  making  a  faithful  and  complete  furrender  of  my  pri- 
*'  vate  judgment,    my  own  will,  and  every  narrow- 
*'  minded  employment  of  my  power  and  influence.    I 
"  pledge  myfelf  to  account  the  good  of  the  Order  as 
"  my  own,  and  am  ready  ro  fcrve  it  with  my  fortune, 
*'  my  honour,    and  my  blood.     Should   I,    through 
•'  omifnon,  neglect,  palTion,  or  wicknednefs,  behave 
"  contrary  to  this  good  of  the  Order,  I  ifubjeft  my- 
"  felf  CO  what   reproof  or  punilliment  my  Superiors 
"  fiiall  enjoin.     The  friends  and  enemies  of  the  Order 
*'  fliall  be  my  friends  and  enemies ;  and  with  refpe6l 
"  to  both  I  will  condud  myfelf  as  dire6ted  by  the  Or- 
*'  der,  and  am  ready,  in  every  lawful  way,  to  devote 
*^  myfelf  to  its  incrcafe  and  promotion,  and  thereinto 
*'  employ  all  my  ability.     All  this  I  promife,  and  pro- 
"  teft,  without  fecret  refervation,    according  to  the 
"  intention  of  the  Society  which  require  from  me  this 
"  engagement.     This  I  do  as  I  am,  and  as  I  hope  to 
*'  continue,  a  Man  of  Honour." 

A  drawn  fword  is  then  pointed  at  his  breaft,  and  he 
is  afked.  Will  you  be  obedient   to  the  commands  of 
your  Superiors  ?    He  is  threatened  with  unavoidable 
vengeance,  from  which  no  potentate  can  defend  him, 

if 


CHAP.   II.  THE    ILLUMINATI.  97 

if  he  Ihoiild  ever  betray  the  Order.  He  is  then  afked, 
I.  What  aim  does  he  wilh  the  Order  to  have  ?  2.  What 
means  he  would  choofe  to  advance  this  aim  ?  3.  Whom 
he  wiflies  to  keep  out  of  the  Order  ?  4.  What  fubjefts 
he  wifhes  not  to  be  difcufied  in  it  ? 

Our  candidate  is  now  Illuminatus  Minor.  It  is 
needlefs  to  narrate  the  mummery  of  reception,  and  it 
is  enough  to  {-Ay,  that  it  nearly  rcfemblcs  that  of  the 
Majonic  Chevalier  du  Sokily  knov^rn  to  every  one  much 
converfant  in  Mafonry.  Weifhaupt's  preparatory  dif- 
courfe  of  reception  is  a  piece  of  good  compofition, 
whether  confidered  as  argumentative,  (from  topics  in- 
deed, that  are  very  gratuitous  and  fanciful,)  or  as  a 
fpecimcn  of  that  declamation  which  was  fo  much  prac- 
tifed  by  Libanius  and  the  other  Sophifts,  and  it  gives 
a  difi:in6t  and  captivating  account  of  the  profeffe^  aim 
of  the  Order. 

The  Illuminatus  Minor  \tz.vns,  a  good  deal  more  of  the 
Order,  but  by  very  fparing  morfels,  under  the  fame 
inftruftor.  The  taflv  has  now  become  more  delicate 
and  difficult.  The  chief  part  of  it  is  the  rooting  out 
of  prejudices  in  politics  and  religion  ;  and  Weifhaupt 
has  fliown  much  addrefs  in  the  method  which  he  has 
employed.  Not  the  mod  hurtful,  but  the  mofb  eafily 
refuted  were  the  firlb  kibjefts  of  difcuffion,  fo  that  the 
pupil  gets  into  the  habits  of  vi6tory  ;  and  his  reverence 
for  the  fyftems  of  either  kind  is  diminifned  when  they 
are  found  to  have  harboured  fuch  untenable  opinions. 
The  proceedings  in  the  Ec!e6lic  Lodges  of  Mafonry, 
and  the  harangues  o(  the  Brother  Orators,  teemed 
with  the  boldefl  fentiments  both  in  politics  and  reli- 
gion. Enlightening,  and  the  triumph  of  reafon,  had 
been  the  ton  of  the  country  for  fome  time  pad,  and 
every  inftitution,  civil  and  religious,  had  been  the  fub- 
jeft  of  the  mofl  free  criticifm.  Above  all,  the  Cofmo- 
politifm,  imported   from   France,  where  it  had  been 

N  the 


98  .  THE    ILLUMINATI.  CHAP.    II. 

the  favourite  topic  of  the  cnthufiaftical  oeconomifts, 
was  now  become  a  general  theme  of  difcufTion  in  all  fo- 
cieties  that  had  any  pretenfions  to  cultivation.  It  was 
a  fubjefl  of  cafy  and  agreeable  declamation  j  and  the 
Literati  found  in  it  a  fubjeft  admirably  fitted  for  fhew- 
ing  their  talents,  and  ingratiating  themfelves  with  the 
young  men  of  fortune,  whofe  minds,  unfufpicious  as 
yet  and  generous,  were  fired  with  the  fair  profpefls  fee 
before  them  of  univerlal  and  attainable  happinefs.  And 
the  pupils  of  the  llluminati  were  ilill  more  warmed  by 
the  thought  that  they  were  to  be  the  happy  inflruments 
of  accomplifliing  ail  this.  And  though  the  doctrines 
of  univerfal  liberty  and  equality,  as  imprefcriptiblc 
rights  of  man,  might  fometimes  ilartle  thofe  who  pof- 
fefled  the  advantage  of  fortune,  there  were  thoufands 
of  younger  fons,  and  of  men  of  talents  without  for- 
tune, to  whom  thefe  were  agreeable  founds.  And 
we  mud  particularly  obferve,  that  thofe  who  were 
now  the  pupils  were  a  fet  of  picked  fubjcdbs,  whofc 
characters  and  peculiar  biafes  were  well  known  by 
their  conduft  during  their  noviciate  as  Minervals. 
They  were  therefore  fuch  as,  in  all  probability,  would 
not  boggle  at  very  free  fencinients.  We  might  rather 
expe6l  a  partiality  to  doctrines  which  removed  fome 
reftraints  which  formerly  checked  them  in  the  indul- 
gence of  youthful  paOions.  Their  inftru6lors,  who 
have  thus  relieved  tlicir  minds  from  leveral  anxious 
thoughts,  muft  appear  men  of  fuperior  minds.  This 
was  a  notion  moft  carefully  inculcated  j  and  they 
could  fee  nothing  to  contradicl  it ;  for,  except  their 
own  Mentor,  they  knew  none  ;  they  heard  of  Supe- 
riors of  different  ranks,  but  never  faw  them  ;  and  the 
fame  mode  of  inilru6tion  that  was  pra6lifed  during 
their  noviciate  was  ftill  retained.  More  particulars  of 
the  Order  were  flowly  unfolded  to  them,  and  they  were 
taught  that  their  Superiors  were  men  of  diflinguiflied 

talents. 


CHAP.   II.  TAE    ILLUMINATI.  99 

talents,  and  were  Superiors  for  this  reafon  alone.  They 
were  taught,  that  the  great  opportunities  which  the 
Superiors  had  for  obfervation,  and  their  habits  ofcon- 
tinualiy  occupying  their  thoughts  with  the  great  ob- 
jects of  this  Order,  had  enlarged  their  views,  even 
far  beyond  the  narrow  limits  of  nations  and  kingdoms, 
which  they  hoped  would  one  day  coak-Ice  into  one 
great  Society,  where  confideration  would  attach  to  ta- 
lents and  worth  alone,  and  that  pre-eininence  in  thefe 
would  be  invariably  attended  with  all  the  enjoyments 
of  influence  and  power.  And  they  were  told  that 
they  would  gradually  become  acquainted  with  thefe 
great  and  venerable  Charadlers,  as  they  advanced  in 
the  Order.  In  earned  of  this,  they  were  made  ac- 
quainted with  one  or  two  Superiors,  and  with  fe- 
veral  Illuminati  of  their  own  rank.  Alio,  to  whet 
their  zeal,  they  are  now  made  inftruftors  of  one  or 
two  Minervals,  and  report  their  progrefs  to  their  Su- 
periors. They  are  given  to  undcrliand  that  nothing 
can  fo  much  recommend  them  as  the  fuccefs  with 
which  they  perform  this  talk.  It  is  declared  to  be 
the  beft  evidence  of  their  ufefulncfs  in  the  great  de- 
figns  of  the  Order. 

The  baleful  efFefts  of  general  fuperftition,  and  even 
of  any  peculiar  religious  prepollcffion,  are  now  ftrong- 
ly  inculcated,  and  the  difcernmenc  of  the  pupils  in 
thefe  matters  is  learned  by  queilions  which  are  given 
them  from  time  to  time  to  difcufs.  Thefe  are  mana- 
ged with  delicacy  and  circumfpe6lion,  that  the  timid 
may  not  be  alarmed.  In  like  manner,  the  political 
dodrines  of  the  Order  are  inculcated  with  the  utmoft 
caution.  After  the  mind  of  the  pupil  has  been  warm- 
ed by  the  pi6lures  of  univerfal  happinefs,  and  convin- 
ced that  it  is  a  pofTible  thing  to  unite  all  the  inhabi- 
tants of  the  earth  in  one  great  fociecy  ;  and  aker  it 
has  been  made  out,  in  fome  meafure  to  the  facisfadtion 

(jf 


lOO  THE    ILLUMINATI.  CHAP.    II. 

of  the  pupil,  that  a  great  addition  of  happinefs  would 
be  gained  by  the  abolition  of  national  difiin6lions  and 
animofities  ;  it  may  frequently  be  no  hard  tafk  tcf  make 
him  think  that  patriotifm  is  a  narrow-minded  monopo- 
lifing  fentiment,  and  even  incompatible  with  the  more 
enlarged  views  of  the  Order  j  namely,  the  uniting  the 
whole  human  race  into  one  great  and  happy  fociety. 
Princes  are  a  chief  feature  of  national  diftindlion. 
Princes,  therefore,  may  now  be  fafely  reprefented  as 
unneceflary.  If  fo,  loyalty  to  Princes  lofes  much  of 
its  facred  charadler^  and  the  fo  frequent  enforcing  of 
it  in  our  common  political  difcuflions  may  now  be  ea- 
fily  made  to  appear  a  felfifli  maxim  of  rulers,  by  which 
they  may  more  e^fily  enflave  the  people  j  and  thus,  it 
may  at  laft  appear,  that  religion,  the  love  of  our  par- 
ticular country,  and  loyalty  to  our  Prince,  fhould  be 
refilled,  if,  by  thefc  partial  or  narrow  views,  we  pre- 
vent the  accomplifliment  of  that  Cofmo-political  hap- 
pinefs which  is  continually  held  forth  as  the  great  ob- 
je6b  of  the  Order.  It  is  in  this  point  of  view  that  the 
terms  of  devotion  to  the  Order,  which  are  inferted  in 
the  oath  of  admiflion,  are  now  explained.  The  au- 
thority of  the  ruling  powers  is  therefore  reprefented  as 
of  inferior  moral  weight  to  that  of  the  Order.  "  Thefe 
powers  are  defpots,  when  they  do  not  conduft  them- 
leives  by  its  principles  ;  and  it  is  therefore  our  duty 
to  furround  them  with  its  members,  fo  that  the 
profane  may  have  no  accefs  to  them.  Thus  we  are 
able  molt  powerfully  to  promote  its  interefts.  If 
any  perfon  is  more  difpofed  to  liften  to  Princes 
"  than  to  the  Order,  he  is  not  fit  for  it,  and  muft  rife 
*'  no  higher.  We  muft  do  our  utmoft  to  procure  the 
"  advancement  of  Illuminati  into  all  important  civil 
"  offices." 

Accordingly  the  Order  laboured  in  this  with  great 
zeal  and  fuccefs.     A  correfpondence  was  difcovered, 

in 


cc 

(C 
iC 

cc 


€HAP.    ir.  THE    ILLUMINATI.  lOi 

in  which  it  is  plain,  that  by  their  influence,  one  of  the 
greateft  ecclefiaftical  dignities  was  filled  up  in  oppofi- 
tion  to  the  right  and  authority  of  the  Archbifnop  of 
Spire,  who  is  there  reprefented  as  a  tyrannical  and  bi- 
goted prieft.  They  contrived  to  place  their  Members 
as  tutors  to  the  youth  of  diftin6tion.  One  of  them. 
Baron  Leuchtfenring,  took  the  charge  of  a  young 
prince  without  any  falary.  They  infinuated  themfelves 
into  all  public  offices,  and  particularly  into  courts  of 
juftice.  In  like  manner,  the  chairs  in  the  Univerfity 
of  Ingolftadt  were  (vv'ith  only  two  exceptions)  occupied 
by  Iliuminati.  *'  Rulers  who  are  members  mult  be 
"  promoted  through  the  ranks  of  the  Order  only  in 
"  proportion  as  they  acknowledge  the  goodnefs  of  its 
"  great  object,  and  manner  of  procedure.  Its  obje6l 
"  may  be  faid  to  be  the  checking  the  tyranny  of 
"  princes,  nobles,  and  pricfts,  and  eftablilhing  an 
"  univerfal  equality  of  condition  and  of  religion." 
The  pupil  is  now  informed,  "  that  fuch  a  religion  is 
'^  contained  in  the  Order,  is  the  perfection  of  Chrif- 
"  tianity,  and  will  be  imparted  to  him  in  due  time." 

Thefe  and  other  principles  and  maxims  of  the  Or- 
der are  partly  communicaced  by  the  verbal  inftruflion 
of  the  Mentor,  partly  by  writings,  which  mult  be 
pundlually  returned,  and  partly  read  by  the  pupil  at 
the  Mentor's  houfe,  (but  without  taking  extrafts,) 
in  fuch  portions  as  he  fiiall  direft.  The  refcriprs  by 
the  pupil  mufh  contain  difcuffions  on  thefe  fubjecfls,' 
and  anecdotes  and  defcriptions  of  living  characters  j 
and  thefe  muft  be  zcaloufly  continued,  as  the  chief 
mean  of  advancement.  All  this  vvhile  the  pupil  knows 
only  his  Mentor,  the  Minervals,  and  a  few  others  of 
his  own  rank.  All  mention  of  degrees,  or  other  bu- 
fmefs  of  the  Order,  muft  be  carefully  avoided,  even 
in  the  meetings  with  other  members  :  "  For  the  Or- 
"  der  wiihcs  to  be  fecrer,  and  to  work  in  filence ;  for 

"  thus 


102  THE    ILLUMINATI.  CHAP.  H., 

"  thus  it  is  better  fecured  from  the  opprefTion  of  the 
"  ruling  powers,  and  becaufe  this  fccrecy  gives  a 
'*  greater  zed  to  the  whole." 

This  fhort  account  of  the  Noviciate^  and  of  the 
lowed  clafs  of  illuminati,  is  all  we  can  get  from  the 
authority  of  Mr.  Weilbaupt.  The  higher  degrees 
■were  not  publillied  by  him.  Many  circumftances  ap- 
pear fufpicious,  arc  certainly  fufceptible  of  different 
turns,  and  may  eafily  be  puflied  to  very  dangerous 
extremes.  The  accounts  given  by  the  four  profcffors 
confirm  rhefe  fufpicions.  They  declare  upon  oath, 
that  they  make  all  thefe  accufitions  in  confequence  of 
what  they  heard  in  the  meetings,  and  of  what  they 
knew  of  the  Higher  Orders. 

But  fince  the  time  of  the  fupprefTion  by  the  Ele<5lor, 
difcoveries  have  been  made  which  throw  great  light 
on  the  fubjtft.  A  colle6lion  of  original  papers  and 
correfpondence  was  found  by  fcarching  the  houfe  of 
one  Zwack  (a  Member)  in  1786.  The  following 
year  a  much  larger  collcftion  was  found  at  the  houfe 
of  Baron  Baifusi  and  fmce  that  time  Baron  Knigge, 
the  moll  active  Member  next  to  Weifliaupt,  publilhed 
an  account  of  fome  of  the  higher  degrees,  which  had 
been  formed  by  himfelf.  A  long  while  after  this  were 
publiilied,  Neuefte  Arbeitmig  des  opartacus  und  Philo  in 
der  Illuminaten  Orden^  and  Hohere  Graden  des  Ilium.  Or- 
dens.  Thefe  two  works  give  an  account  of  the  whole 
fccret  conftitution  of  the  Order,  its  various  degrees, 
the  manner  of  conferring  them,  the  inllrudlions  to  the 
intrants,  and  an  explanation  of  the  connection  of  the 
Order  v.'ith  Free  Mafonry,  and  a  critical  hiftory.  We 
(hall  give  fome  extradls  from  fuch  of  thefe  as  have 
been  publifhed. 

Weifliaupt  was  the  founcer  in  1776.  In  1778  the 
number  of  Members  was  confiderably  increafed,  and 
the  Order  was  fully  .eftabliflied.     The  Members  took 

antique 


CHAP.   II.  THE    ILLUMINATI.       "  lOJ 

antique  names.  Thus  Weifliaupt  took  the  name  of 
Sparcacus,  the  man  who  headed  the  infurredion  of 
Haves,  which  in  Pompey's  time  kept  Rome  in  terror 
and  uproar  for  three  years.  Zvvack  was  called  Cato. 
Knigge  was  Philo.  Baflus  was  Hannibal.  Hertel 
was  Marius.  Marquis  Conftanza  was  Diomedes. — 
Nicolai,  an  eminent  and  learned  bookfeller  in  Berlin, 
and  author  of  feveral  works  of  reputation,  took  the 
name  of  Lucian,  the  great  fcofFer  at  all  religion.  An- 
other was  Mahomet,  &c.  It  is  remarkable,  that  ex- 
cept Cato  and  Socrates,  we  have  not  a  name  of  any 
ancient  who  was  eminent  as  a  teacher  and  pradlifer  of 
virtue.  On  the  contrary,  they  feem  to  have  affedcd 
the  charafters  of  the  free-thinkers  and  turbulent  fpirits 
of  antiquity.  In  the  fame  manner  they  gave  ancient 
names  to  the  cities  and  countries  of  Europe.  Munich 
was  Athens,  Vienna  was  Rome,  &c. 


Spartacus  to  Cato^  Feb.  6,   1778. 


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Mon  hut  eft  de  faire  valoir  la  raijon.     As   a  fubor- 
dinate  objefb  I  Ihall  endeavour  to  gain   fecuri'ty  to 
*'  ourfelves,  a  backing  in  cafe  of  misfortunes,  and  af- 
*'  fiftance  from  without.     I  Ihall  therefore  prefs  the 
*^  cultivation  of  fcience,    efpecially   fuch  fciences  as 
**  may  have  an  influence  on  our  reception  in  the  world, 
<'  and  may  fcrve  to  remove  obftacles  out  of  the  way. 
*^  We   have  to  ftruggle  with  pedantry,  with  intole- 
"  ranee,  with  divines   and  ftatefmen,  and  above  all, 
"  princes  and  priefts  are  in  our  way.      Men  are  unfit 
"  as  they  arc,  and  muft  be  formed  \  each  clafs  muft 
*'  be  the  fchool  of  trial  for  the  next.     This  will  be  te- 
"  dious,  becaufe  it  is  hazardous.     In  the  laft  claffes  I 
"  propofe  academics  under  the  dirc6tion  of  the  Order. 
"  This  will  fecure  us  the  adherence  of  the   Lireraci. 

**^  Science 


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104  THE     ILLL'MINATI.  CHAP.   II. 

"  Science  fhiill  here  be  the  lure.  Only  thofe  who  are 
aflurediy  proper  rubje(n:s  fhall  be  picked  out  froiij 
among  the  inferior  claiFes  for  the  higher  myileries, 
which  contain  the  firft  principles  and  means  of  pro- 
moting a  happy  life.  No  religionifl:  muft,  on  any 
*'  account,  be  admitted  into  thefc  :  For  here  we  work 
**  at  the  difcovery  and  extirpation  of  fuperftition  and 
'^  prejudices.  The  inftru6lions  Hiall  be  fo  conduced 
"  that  each  fliall  difclofe  what  he  thinks  he  conceals 
"  within  his  own  breaft,  what  are  his  ruling  propenfi- 
''  ties  and  paffions,  and  how  far  he  has  advanced  in 
*'  the  command  of  himfelf.  This  will  anfwer  all  the 
"  purpofes  of  auricular  confeflion.  And,  in  particu- 
lar, every  perfon  fhall  be  made  a  fpy  on  another 
and  on  all  around  him.  Nothing  can  efcape  our 
fight ;  by  thcfe  means  we  fliall  j'eadily  difcover  who 
are  contented,  and  receive  with  relifh  the  peculiar 
*'  ftate-doftrines  and  religious  opinions  that  are  laid 
*^  before  them ;  and,  at  iaft,  the  truft-worthy  alone 
"  will  be  admitted  to  a  participation  of  the  whole 
maxims  and  political  conilitucion  of  the  Order.  In 
a  council  compofed  of  fuch  members  v/e  fliall  labour 
at  the  contrivance  of  means  to  drive  by  degrees  the 
"  enemies  of  reafon  and  of  humanity  out  of  the  world, 
"  and  to  eftablifh  a  peculiar  morality  and  religion  fit- 
"  ted  for  the  great  Society  of  Mankind. 

"  But  this  is  a  ticklifh  projeft,  and  requires  the  nt- 
moft  ciicumfpeflion.  The  fqucam.ifh  will  ftart  at 
the  fight  of  religious  or  political  novelties  ;  and 
they  muft  be  prepared  for  them.  We  muft  be  par- 
"  ticul?.rly  careful  about  the  books  which  we  recom- 
"  mend ;  I  ftiall  confine  them  at  firft  to  moralifts  and 
"  reafoning  hiftorians.  This  will  prepare  for  a  patient 
*^  reception,  in  the  higher  clafTes,  of  works  of  a  bolder 
*'  flight,  fuch  as  Robinet's  Syjleme  de  la  Nature — Pcli- 
'*  tlque  Naturelle — Vhihjo'phie  de  la  Nature — Syfieme  So- 

i^  cial-^. 


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CC 
CC 


CHAP.  II.  THE  ILLUMINATI.  IO5 

cial — The  writings  of  Mirabaud,  &c.  Helvetius 
is  fie  only  for  the  ftrongeft  ftomachs.  If  any  one 
has  a  copy  already,  neither  praife  nor  find  fault  with 
him.  Say  nothing  on  fuch  fubjecls  to  intrants,  for 
we  don't  know  how  they  will  be  received — folks  are 
not  yet  prepared.  Marius,  an  excellent  man,  muft 
be  dealt  with.  His  fcomach,  which  cannot  yet  di- 
gefl  fuch  ftrong  food,  muft  acquire  a  better  tone. 
The  allegory  on  which  I  am  to  found  the  myflcries 
of  the  Higher  Orders  ^is  the  fire-worpip  (^  the  Magi. 
We  mult  have  fome  worfhip,  and  none  is  fo  appofite. 
Let  there  be  light,  and  there  shall  be 
LI G PIT.  This  is  m.y  motto,  and  is  my  fundamental 
principle.  The  degrees  v;ill  be  Feuer  Ordcn,  Parjeft 
Oi'den*  ;  all  very  praflicable.  In  the  courfe  through 
thefe  there  will  be  no  sta  bene  (this  is  the  anfwer 
given  to  one  who  folicits  preferment,  and  is  refufed). 
For  I  engage  that  none  fliall  enter  this  clafs  who  has 
not  laid  afide  his  prejudices.  No  man  is  fit  for  our 
Order  who  is  not  a  Brutus  or  a  Catiline,  and  is  not 
ready  to  go  every  length. — Tell  me  how  you  lii<e 
this  ?" 


Spartacus  to  Cats,  March  1778. 

"  To  colle6t  unpubliflied  vv^orks,  and  information 
from  the  archives  of  States,  will  be  a  moft  ulcfui  fcr- 
vice.  We  fliall  be  able  to  fliow  in  a  very  ridiculous* 
light  the  claim.s  of  our  defpots.  Marius  (keeper  of 
the  archives  of  i\\(^  Eledlorate)  has  ferreted  out  a  no- 
ble document,  which  we  have  got.  He  makes  it, 
forfooth,  a  cafe  of  confcience — how  filly  that — fmce 

*  This  is  evidently  tlie  MyJIere  du  Mithrus  mentioned  by  Barruel, 
in  his  Hiftory  of  Jacobinifm,  and  had  been  cairieJ  into  France  by 
Bcde  and  Bulche. 

O  '*  only 


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I06  THE   ILLU.MINATI.  CHAP.    II. 

'*  only  that  is^fn  which  is  uUiryuUely  produdive  of  mif- 
"  chief.  In  this  cafe,  where  tlic  advantage  far  exceeds 
'^  the  hurt>  it  is  meritorious  virtue.  It  will  do  more 
•*  good  in  our  hands  than  by  remaining  for  icoo  years 
*'  on  the  duily  flielf." 

There  was  found  in  the  hand- writing  of  Zwack  a 
projed  for  a  Sifterhood,  in  fubferviency  to  the  dcOgns 
of  the  lUuminati.     In  it  are  the  following  paliages  : 

*'  It  will  be  of  great  fervice,  and  procure  us  both 
"  much  information  and  mcney,  and  will  fuic  charm- 
"  ingly  the  tafle  of  many  of  our  trueft  members,  who 
"  are  lovers  of  the  fex.  it  fliould  confift  of  twoclafles, 
the  virtuous  and  the  freer  hearted  (i.  e.  thofe  who 
fly  out  of  the  common  track  of  prudilh  manners)  ; 
they  mult  not  know  of  each  other,  and  muft  be  un- 
"  der  the  direftion  of  men,  but  without  knovvinof  it. 
Proper  books  muft  be  put  into  their  hands,  and  fuch 
(but  fecretly)  as  are  flattering  to  their  paflions." 
There  are,  in  the  fame  hand-writing,  Defcripticn  of 
a  ftrong  box,  which,  if  forced  open,  Ihall  blow  uj)  and 
deftroy  its  contents — Several  receipts  for  procuring 
abortion — A  compofition  which  blinds  or  kills  when 
fpurted  in  the  face — A  flieet,  containing  a  receipt  for 
fympathetic  ink — Tea  for  procuring  abortion — Herk^ 
quae  hr.bent  qualitatem  deleteream — A  method  for  filling 
a  bed-chamber  vvithpcltilential  vapours — How  to  take 
off  impreluons  of  feals,  fo  as  to  ule  them  afterwards  as 
feals — A  colleftion  of  fome  hundreds  of  luch  imprel- 
fions,  with  a  lill  ot  their  ov.'ners,  princes,  nobles, 
clergymen,  merchants,  &c. — A  receipt  ad  excitandum 
f nr  or  em  uterinum  i — Amanufcript  intitled,  "  Better  than 
Horus."  It  was  afterwards  printed  and  difliributed  at 
Leipzig  fair,  and  is  an  attack  and  bitter  fatire  on  all  re- 
ligion. This  is  in  the  hand- writing  of  Ajax.  As  alfo  a 
ci(rertation{:nfuicide. — N.B.  His  filier-in-lav/ threw  her- 
fclffrom  the  top  of  a  tower.     There   was  alfo  a  fc-t  of 

portraits, 


CHAP.  II.  THE  ILLUMINATI.  1 07 

portraits,  orcharafters  of  eighty-five  ladies  in  Munich; 
witlj  recommendations  of  fome  of  them  for  members 
of  a  Lodge  of  Sifter  Illurainatfe  ;  aab  injuncbions  to  all 
the  Superiors  to  learn  to  write  with  both  hands  ;  and 
that  they  fhould  ufc  more  than  one  cypher. 

Immediately  after  the  publication  of  thele  writings, 
many  defences  appeared.  It  was  faid  that  the  dread- 
ful medical  apparatus  were  with  propriety  in  the  hands 
of  CounfcUor  Zwack,  who  was  a  judge  of  a  criminal 
court,  and  whofe  duty  it  was  therefore  to  know  fuch 
things.  The  fame  cxcufe  was  offered  for  the  collec- 
tion of  feals  ;  but  how  came  thele  things  to  be  put  up 
with  papers  of  the  Illuminati,  and  to  be  in  the  hand- 
writing of  one  of  that  Order?  Weifliaupt  fays,  "  Thefe 
*'  things  were  not  carried  into  effeft — only  fpoken  of, 
*'  and  are  juftifiable  when  taken  in  proper  connec- 
*'  tion."  This  however  he  has  not  pointed  out;  but 
he  appeals  to  the  account  of  the  Order,  which  he  had 
publifhed  at  RegenfDurg,  and  in  which  neither  thefe 
things  are  to  be  found,  nor  any  poffibility  of  a  con- 
nedlion  by  which  they  may  be  juftificd.  "  All  men," 
fays  he,  "^  are  fubjedl  to  errors,  and  the  beft  man  is  he 
who  beft  conceals  them.  1  have  never  been  guilty 
of  any  luch  vices  or  follies  :  for  proof,  I  appeal  to 
the  whole  tenor  of  m.y  life,  which  my  reputation, 
and  my  ftruggles  with  hoftile  cabals,  had  brought 
completely  into  public  view  long  before  the  inftitu- 
*'  tion  of  this  Order,  without  abatino;  any  thing  of  that 
"  flattering  regard  wiiich  was  paid  to  me  by  the  firft 
"  perfons  of  my  country  and  its  neighbourhood;  a  re- 
"  gard  well  evinced  by  their  confidence  in  me  as  the 
"  beft  inftru6lor  of  their  children."  In  fome  of  his 
private  letters,  we  karn  the  means  which  he  employed 
to  acquire  this  influence  among  the  youth,  and  they 
are  fuch  as  could  not  fail.  But  we  muft  nat  anticipate. 
*'  It  i:>  well  known  that  I  have  made  the  chair  which    I 

''  occupied 


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108  THE  ILLUMINATI.  CHAP.   II. 

*'  occupied  in  the  iiniveiTity  of  Ingolftadc,  the  reforc 
of  the  firft  cb.fs  of  the  German  youth;  whereas  for-, 
merly  it  had  only  brought  round  it  the  low-born 
praftieioners  in  the  courts  of  law.  I  have  gone 
through  the  whole  circle  of  human  enquiry.  1  have 
exorcifed  fpirits — raifcd  ghofts — difcovered  trea- 
*'  fures — interrogated  the  Cabala — hatte  Lcto gefpielt — I 
*^  have  never  tranfmuted  metals." — (A  very  pretty 
and  refpedtable  circle  indeed,  and  what  vulgar  fpirits 
v/ould  fcarcely  have  included  within  the  pale  of  their 
curiofity.) — '■'  The  Tenor  of  my  life  has  been  the  op~ 
*'  pofite  of  every  thing  that  is  vile;  and  no  man  can 
'^'^  lay  any  fuch  thing  to  my  charge.  I  have  reafon  to 
^'^  rejoice  that  thefc  writings  have  appeared  ;  they  are  a 
^'  vindication  of  the  Order  and  of  my  conduct.  lean 
''  and  iTiuft  declare  to  God,  and  I  do  it  now  in  the 
*^  mofl  I'olemn  manner,  that  in  my  whole  life  I  never 
"■  fliw  or  heard  of  the  fo  much  condemned  fecrtt  wri- 
tings ;  and  in  particular,  refpefting  thefe  abomina- 
ble means,  fuch  as  poifoning,  abortion,  &c.  was  it 
*'  ever  known  to  me  in  any  cafe,  that  any  of  my  friends 
or  acquaintances  ever  even  thought  of  them,  advif- 
ed  them,  or  madjaiany  ufe  of  them.  1  was  indeed 
*^  always  a  fchenier  and  projeclor,  but  never  could  en- 
gage much  in  detail.  My  general  plan  is  good, 
though  in  the  detail  there  may  be  faults.  I  had  my- 
"  felf  to  form.  In  another  fituation,  and  in  an  adtive 
'*  ftation  in  life,  1  flionld  have  been  keenly  occupied, 
<^  and  the  founding-  an  Order  v;ould  never  have  come 
"  into  my  head.  But  I  would  have  executed  much 
greater  things,  had  not  government  always  oppofed 
my  exertions,  and  placed  others  in  the  fituations 
?'  which  fuited  my  talents.  It  was  the  full  convitlion 
of  this  and  of  what  could  be  done,  if  every  man  were 
placed  in  the  office  for  which  he  was  fitted  by  nature 
and  a  proper  education,  v^hich  firil  fuggefted  to  me 

''  the 


(t 


it 


CHAP.  II.  THE    ILLUMINA.TI.  I O9 

''  the  plan  of  Illumination."  Surely  Mr.  Weifhaupt 
had  a  very  lerious  charge,  the  education  of  youth  ;  and 
his  encouragement  in  that  charge  was  the  moft  flatter- 
ing that  an  Illuminatus  could  wifn  for  ;  becaufc  he  had 
brought  round  him  the  youth  whofe  influence  in  fo- 
ciety  was  the  greattft,  and  who  would  moft  of  all  con- 
tribute to  the  diflr^ufing  good  principles,  and  exciting  to 
good  conduft  through  the  whole  ilate.  "  I  did  not," 
fays  he,  **  bring  deifm  into  Bavaria  more  than  into 
**  Rome.  I  found  it  here,  in  great  vigour,  more  a- 
"  bounding  than  in  any  of  the  neighbouring  Protcftant 
"  ftates.  I  am  proud  to  be  knov/n  to  the  world  as 
''  the  founder  of  the  Order  of  lUuminati  j  and  I  repeat 
"  my  wifii  to  have  for  my  epitaph, 

"  Hicfttus  eft  PhcCthcn^  curriiS  atiriga  paterni, 
"  ^uem  fi  non  tenuity  magnis  tamen  exddit  aufis.'' 

The  fecond  difcovery  of  fccret  correfpondence  at 
Sandcrfdorff,  the  feat  of  Baron  Batz,  (Hannibal,)  con- 
tains ftill  more  interefting  fads. 


SpartfiCus  to  Ca^, 

"  What  lliall  I  do  ?  I  am  deprived  of  all  help.  So- 
'^  crattF,  who  would  infift  on  being  a  man  of  confe- 
"  quenre  among  us,  and  is  really  a  man  of  talents, 
*'  and  of  a  right  'ivay  of  tkiiiking^  is  eternally  befotted. 
"'  Augufius  is  in  the  worll  eilisnation  imaginable.  Al- 
"  cibiades  fits  the  day  long  with  the  vintner's  pretty 
"  wife,  and  there  he  fighs  and  pincr,.  A  few  days 
"  ago,  at  Corinth,  Tiberius  attempted  to  ravifh  the 
"  wife  of  Dcmocides,  and  her  hufhand  came  in  upon 
"  them.  Good  heavms  !  what  ^/n^^iVs'i/'^  I  have  got. 
"  When  the  Vvorthy  man  Marcus  Aurelius  comes  to 
'^  Athens,  (Munich,)  what  will  he  think  ?    What  a 

^'  met  ting 


* 


no  THE    ILLUMINATI.  CHAT.  II. 

*'  meeting  of  diffolute,  immoral  wretclies,  whorcmaf- 
'*  cers,  liars,  bankrupts,  bra^rgaris,  and  vain  fool^i ! 
**  When  he  fees  all  this,  what  will  he  think  ?  He  will 
*'  be  afliamed  to  enter  into  an  Aflbciation,"  (obJcrvc 
Reader,  that  Spartacus  writes  this  in  Aiigud  17O3,  in 
the  very  time  that  he  would  have  murdered  Cato's  CjC- 
ter,  as  we  fhall  fee,)  "  where  the  chiefs  raifc  the 
"  higheft  cxpe6lations,  and  exhibit  fuch  v/retchcd  ex- 
"  amples ;  and  ail  this  from  felf-will,  from  fenfuality. 
"  Am  I  not  in  the  right — that  this  man — that  any 
"  futh  worthy  man — whofe  name  alone  would  give  us 
"  the  fcieflion  of  all  Germany,  will  declare  that  the 
"  whole  province  of  Grecia,  (Bavaria,)  innocent  and 
«^  guilty,  muft  be  excluded.  I  tell  you,  we  may  ftu- 
"  dy^  and  v/rite,  and  toil  till  death.  We  may  fdcri- 
"  lice  to  the  Order,  our  health,  our  fortune,  and  our 
**  reputation,  (alas,  the  lofs  !)  and  thefe  Lords,  fol- 
"  lowing  their  own  pleafures,  will  whore,  cheat,  fteal, 
*'  and  drive  on  like  fhamelefs  rafcals  ;  and  yet  muft 
*'  be  Arecpagita^,  and  interfere  in  every  thing.  In- 
"  deed,  my  deareft  friend,  we  have  only  enflaved 
"  ourfclves." 

In  another  part  of  this  fine  correfpondence,  Dio- 
medes  has  had  the  good  fortune  to  intercept  a  Q^L. 
(^iibus  Licet,)  in  which  it  is  faid,  and  fupporteci  by 
proofs,  that  Cato  had  received  250  florins  as  a  bribe 
for  his  fentence  in  his  capacity  of  a  judge  in  a  criminal 
court  (the  end  had  furely  fanftined  the  means.)  In. 
another,  a  Minerval  complains  of  his  Mentor  for  hav- 
ing by  lies  occafioned  the  difmifuon  of  a  phyfician 
from  a  family,  by  which  tlie  Mentor  obtained,  in  the 
fame  capacity,  tjje  cuftom  of  the  houfe  and  free  accefs, 
which  favour  he  repaid  by  debauching  the  wife;  and 
he  prays  to  be  informed  whether  he  may  not  get  ano- 
ther Mentor,  faying  that  although  that  man  had  always 
given  him   the  moil    excellent    inftrudlions,   and   he 

doubted 


CHAP.  II.  THE    ILLUMINATl.  HI 

doubted  not  would  continue  them,  yet  he  felt  a  difguft 
at  the  hypocrify,  which  would  certainly  diminifo  the 
imprcffion  of  the  moft  falutary  truths.  (Is  it  not  dif- 
trefiing  to  think,  that  this  promifing  youth  will  by  and 
by  lauLjh  at  his  former  fimplicity,  and  follow  the 
Heps  and  not  the  inftruftions  of  his  phyfician.)  In 
another  place,  Spartacus  writes  to  Marius,  (in  confi- 
dence,) that  another  worthy  Brother,  an  Areopagitay 
had  ftolen  a  gold  and  a  filver  watch,  and  a  ring, 
from  Brutus,  (Savioli,)  and  begs  Marius,  in  another 
Jettcr,  to  try,  while  it  was  yet  poflible,  to  get  the 
things  relliored,  becaufe  the  culprit  was  a  mofc  excellent 
man,  (Fortrefflich,)  and  of  vail  ufe  to  the  Order^  hav- 
ing the  dire6]:ion  of  an  eminent  feminary  of  young  ^'•■fK- 
tlemen;  and  becaufe  Savioli  was  much  in  good  compa- 
ny, and  did  not  much  care  for  the  Order,  except  in 
fo  far  as  it  gave  him  an  opportunity  of  knowing  and 
leading  fome  of  them,  and  of  fleering  his  way  at 
court. 

I  cannot  help  inferting  here,  though  not  the  mofl: 
proper  place,  a  part  of  a  provincial  report  from  Knirg-c, 
tlie  man  of  the  whole  Aeropagita  who  fnows  any  thing 
like  urbanity  or  gentlenefs  of  mind. 

"  Of  my  whole  colony,  (Weftphalia,)  the  mofl  brii- 
"  liant  isClaudiopolis  fAW^c/i'-^^j.  There  they  work, 
"  and  dire6l,  and  do  v/ondcrs." 

If  there  ever  was  a  fpot  upon  earth  where  m.en  may 
be  happy  in  a  flate  of  cultivated  fociety,  it  v/as  the  lit- 
tle principality  of  Neuwied.  I  faw  it  in  1770.  The 
town  was  neat,  and  the  palace  handfome  and  in  good 
taile.  But  tlie  country  uas  beyond  conception  delight- 
ful ;  not  a  cottage  that  was  out  of  repair,  not  a  hedge 
out  of  order  -,  it  had  been  the  hobby  (pardon  me  tiic 
word)  of  the  Prince,  who  made  it  his  .'/r^//)' employment 
to  go  through  his  principality  regularly,  and  affift  eve- 
ry liournolder,  of  whatever  condition,  with  his  advice, 

and 


112  THE  ILLUMIN'ATI.  CHAP.  II. 

and  with  his  purfe  ;  and,  when  a  freeholder  could  not 
of  himfelf  put  things  into  a  thriving  condition,  the 
Prince  fent  his  workmen  and  did  it  for  him.  He  en- 
dowed fchools  for  the  common  people,  and  two  acade- 
mies for  the  gentry  and  the  people  of  bufinefs.  He 
gave  little  portions  to  the  daughters,  and  prizes  to  the 
vv^eli-behaving  fons  of  the  labouring  people.  His  ovv'n 
houfhold  was  a  pattern  of  elegance  and  economy  j  his 
fons  were  fent  to  Paris  to  learn  elegance,  and  to  En- 
gland to  learn  fcience  and  agriculture.  In  fliort,  the 
whole  was  like  a  romance  (and  was  indeed  romance). 
I  heard  it  fpoken  of  with  a  fmile  at  the  table  of  the 
Bifliop  of  Treves,  at  Ehrcnbretflein,  and  was  induced 
to  fee  it  next  day  as  a  curiofity  :  And  yet  even  here, 
the  fanaticifm  of  Knigge  would  diftribute  his  poifon, 
and  tell  the  blinded  people,  that  they  were  in  a  flace 
of  fm  and  mifery,  that  their  Prince  was  a  defpot,  and 
that  they  would  never  be  happy  till  he  was  made  to 
fly,  and  till  they  were  all  made  equal. 

They  got  their  wilh  ;  the  fvvarm  of  French  locufls 
fat  down  on  Neuwied's  beautiful  fields  in  1793,  and 
entrenched  themfelves  i  and  in  three  months,  Prince 
and  farmers  houfes,  and  cottages,  and  fchools,  and 
academies — all  had  vaniflied  ;  and  all  the  fubjects  were 
made  equal.  But  when  they  complained  to  the  French 
General  (Rene  le  Grand)  of  being  plundered  by  his 
foldiers,  he  anfwercd,  with  a  contemptuous  and  cut- 
ting laugh,  "  All  is  ours — we  have  left  you  your  eyes 

to  cry." — (^Report to  the  Convention,  i^tbjune  1795.  J 

Dijcite  jufiitiam  moniti,  et  ncn  temnere  divos  ! 


t3 


CHAP.   II.  THE    ILLUMINATI.  II3 

To  proceed : 

Spartacus  to  Cato. 


i( 


By  this  plan  we  fliall  dire6l  all  mankind.  In  this 
"  manner,  and  by  the  fim.pleft  means,  we  fhall  fct  ail 
*'  in  motion  and  in  flames.  The  occupations  muil:  be 
"  fo  allotted  and  contrived,  that  wc  may,  in  fccrct, 
"  influence  all  political  tranfaftions."  N.  B.  This  al-r 
Judes  to  a  part  that  is  with- held  from  the  public,  be-r 
caufc  it  contained  the  allotment  of  the  moit  rebellious 
and  profligate  occupations  to  fevcral  perfons  whofe 
common  names  could  not  be  traced.  "  I  have  confi- 
"  dcred,"  fays  Spartacus,  *'  every  thing,  and  fo  pre- 
"  pared  it,  chat  if  the  Order  fhould  tliis  day  go  to  ruin, 
^'  I  fliall  in  a  year  re-eftablifli  it  more  brilliant  than 
*'  ever."  Accordingly  it  got  up  again  in  about  this 
fpace  of  time,  under  the  name  of  the  German  Union, 
appearing  in  the  form  of  Reading  Societies.  One 
cf  rhefe  was  fet  up  in  Zwack's  houfe  i  and  this  raiflng 
a  fufpicion,  a  vifitation  was  made  at  Landfliut,  and  the 
firfl:  let  of  the  private  papers  were  found.  The  fcheme 
was,  however,  zealoufly  profecuted  in  other  parts  of 
Germany,  as  we  fliall  fee  by  and  by.  "  Nor,"  con- 
tinues Spartacus,  ''  will  it  fignify  though  all  fliould  be 
*'  betrayed  and  printed.  I  am  fo  certain  of  fuccefs,  in 
"  fpite  ot  all  obiUcles,  (for  the  fprings  are.  in  every 
heart,)  that  I  am  indiff^erent,  though  it  fhould  in- 
volve iny  life  and  my  liberty.  What !  have  thoufands 
thrown  away  their  lives  about  homsios  and  hcrnoioufics 
*'  and  fliali  not  this  caufe  warm  even  the  heart  of  a 
*'  coward  ?  But  I  have  the  art  to  dravv?  advaniage  even 
*'  from  misfortune ;  and  whr-n  you  would  think  me 
*'  funk  to  the  bottom,  I  fliall  rife  with  new  vigour. 
*'  Who  v/ould  have  thought,  (hat  a  profciTor  at  Ingol- 

>  «  fcadc 


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114  THE   ILLUMINATI.  CHAP.    II. 

"  ftadt  was  to  become  the  teacher  of  the  profcfibrs  of 
**  Gottingen,  and  of  the  grcateft  men  in  Germany?", 


Spariacus  to  Cato, 

"  Send  me  back  my  degree  of  Illumttiatus  Miner  ; 
"  it  is  the  wonder  of  all  men  here  (I  may  perhaps  find 
"  time  to  give  a  tranflation  of  the  difcourfc  of  recep- 
"  tion,  which  contains  all  that  can  be  faid  of  this  Af- 
**  fociation  to  the  public)  ;  as  alfo  the  two  laft  fheets 

of  my  degree,  which  is  in  the  keeping  of  Marius, 

and  Celfus,  under  100  locks,  which  contains  my 
"  hiftory  of  the  lives  of  the  Patriarchs."  N.  B.  No- 
thing very  particular  has  been  difcovered  of  thefe  lives 
of  the  Patriarchs.  He  fays,  that  there  were  above 
fixty  fheets  of  it.  To  judge  by  the  care  taken  of  it, 
it  muft  be  a  favourite  work,  very  hazardous,  and  very 
catching. 

In  another  letter  to  Cato,  we  hav?  fome  hints  of  the 
higher  degrees,  and  concerning  a  peculiar  morality, 
and  a  popular  religion,  which  the  Order  was  one  day 
to  give  the  world.  He  fays,  ''  There  muft  (a  la  Je- 
"  fuite)  not  a  fingle  purpofe  ever  come  in  fight  that  is 
"  ambiguous,  and  that  may  betray  our  aims  againfl: 
"  religion  and  the  ftate.  One  muft  fpeak  fometimes 
**  one  way  and  fometimes  another,  but  fo  as  never  to 

contradidl  ourfelves,  and  fo  that,  with  refpedl  to 

our  true  way  of  thinking,  we  may  be  impenetrable. 

When  our  ftrongell:  things  chance  to  give  offence, 
"  they  muft  be  explained  as  attempts  to  draw  anfwers 
"  which  difcover  to  us  the  fentiments  of  the  perfon 
"  we  converfe  with."  N.  B.  This  did  not  always  fuc- 
cced  with  him. 

Spartacus  fays,  fpeakingof  the  priefts  degree,  *'  One 
"  would  almoft  imagine,  that  this  degree,  as  I  have  ma- 

"  naged 


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CHAP.   11.  THE    ILLUMINATI.  II5 

naged  it,  is  genuine  Chriftianity,  and  that  Its  end 
was  to  free  the  Jews  from  flavcry.  I  fay,  that  Free 
Mafonry  is  concealed  Chriftianity.  My  explanation 
of  the  hieroglyphics,  at  leaft,  proceeds  on  this  fup- 
pofition  J  and  as  I  explain  things,  no  man  need  be 
afhamed  of  being  a  Chriftian.  Indeed  I  afterwards 
throw  away  this  name,  and  fubftitute  Reafon.  But 
I  affure  you  this  is  no  fmall  affair;  a  new  religion, 
and  a  new  ftate-government,  which  fo  happily  ex- 
plain one  and  all  of  thefe  fymbols,  and  combine 
them  in  one  degree.  You  may  think  that  this  is 
my  chief  work ;  but  I  have  three  other  degrees, 
all  different,  for  my  clafs  of  higher  myfteries,  in 
comparifon  with  which  this  is  but  child's  play ;  but 
thefe  I  keep  for  myfclf  as  General,  to  be  beftowed 
by  me  only  on  the  Benemeritijfimii"  (furely  fuch  as 
Cato,  his  deareft  friend,  and  the  poffefTor  of  fuch  pret- 
ty fecrets,  as  abortives,  poifons,  peftilential  vapours, 
^c).  "  The  promoted  may  be  Areopagites  or  not. 
Were  you  here  I  Ihould  give  you  this  degree  with- 
out hefitation.  But  it  is  too  important  to  be  intruf- 
tcd  to  paper,  or  to  be  beftowed  otherwife  than  from 
my  own  hand,  It  is  the  key  to  hiftory,  to  religion, 
and  to  every  ftate-government  in  the  world."* 

Spartacus  proceeds,  "  There  fhall  be  but  three 
copies  for  all  Germany.  You  can't  imagine  what 
rcfpeft  and  curiofity  my  prieft-degree  has  raifed  j 
"  and,  which  is  wonderful,  a  famous  Proteftant  di- 
**  vine,   who  is  now  of  the  Order,  is  perfuadcd  that 

"  the 

*  I  obferve,  in  other  parts  of  his  correfpondence  where  he  fpeaks 
of  this,  feveral  fingular  j^hrafes,  which  are  to  be  found  in  two 
books  ;  Anliquete  devQilee  par  fes  Ufages,  and  Origine  du  De/potifme 
Oriental.  Thefe  contain  indeed  much  of  the  maxims  inculcated  in 
the  reception  difcourfe  of  the  degree  lllumanitus  Minor.  Indeed  I 
have  found,  that  Weiih.'tupt  is  m«ch  lefj  an  inventor  than  he  is  ge- 
nerally thought. 


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Il6  THE    ILLUMINATI.  CHAP.   11. 

^'  the  religion  contained  in  it  is  the  true  fenfe  of  Chrif- 
"  tianity.  O  man,  man  !  to  what  may'st  thou 
•'  NOT  BE  PERSUADED.  Who  would  imagine  that  I 
"  was  to  be  the  founder  of  a  new  religion  .''" 

In  this'fcheme  of  Mafonic  Clirillianicy,  Spartacus 
and  Philo  laboured  ferioufly  together.  Spartacus  fent 
him  the  materials,  and  Philo  worked  them  up.  It 
will  therefore  illuftrate  this  capital  point  of  the  confli- 
tution  of  the  Order,  if  we  take  Philo's  account  of  it. 


Philo  to  Cato. 

<<  We  mud  confider  the  ruling  propcnfities  of  every 
"  age  of  the  world.  At  prefent  the  cheats  and  tricks 
**  of  the  priefts  have  roufed  all  men  againlt  them,  and 
''  againfi:  Chriftianity.  But,  at  the  fame  time,  fuper- 
"  ftition  and  fanaticifm  rule  with  unlimited  dominion, 
*'  and  the  underftanding  of  man  really  feems  to  be 
*^  going  backwards.  Our  tafk,  therefore,  is  doubled. 
"  We  muft  give  fuch  an  account  of  things,  that  fana- 
"  tics  Ihould  not  be  alarmed,  and  that  fhall,  notwith- 
*^  (landing,  excite  a  fpirit  of  free  enquiry.  We  mud 
"  not  throw  away  the  good  v/ith  the  bad,  the  child 
"  with  the  dirty  watery  but  we  muft  make  the  fccrct 
"  doftrines  of  Chriftianiiy  be  received  as  the  fecrcts 
«'  of  genuine  Free  Mafonry.  But  farther,  we  have  to 
"  deal  with  the  defpotifm  of  Princes.  This  increafes 
"  every  day.  But  then,  the  fpirit  of  freedom  breathes 
"  and  fighs  in  every  corner;  and.  by  the  afTillance  of 
hidden  fchools  of  wifdom.  Liberty  and  Equality, 
the  natural  and  imprefcriptible  rights  of  man,  warm 
and^low  in  every  breaft.  Wc  muft  therefore  unite 
''  thefe  extremes.     We  proceed  in  this  manner. 

"  Jefus    Chrift    eltabliihed   no  new   Religion ;    he 
'*  would  only  fet  Religion  and  Reafon  in  their  ancient 

"  rights. 


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CHAP.    II.  THE  ILLUMINATl.  HJ 

"  riglits.  For  this  piirpole  he  would  unite  men  in  a 
"  common  bond.  Pic  would  fit  them  for  this  by 
*^  rpreadinrr  a  jull  morality,  by  enlightening  the  un- 
"  derflanding,  and  by  aflliling  the  n^dnd  to  Ihake  ofF 
all  prejudices.  Fie  would  teach  all  men,  iii-tlie  firil 
place,  to  govern  themfelves.  Rulers  would  then 
be  needlefs,  and  equality  and  liberty  would  take 
place  without  any  revolution,  by  the  natural  and 
gentle  operation  of  reafon  and  expediency.  This 
"  great  Teacher  allows  himfeH  to  explain  every  part 
of  the  Bible  in  conformity  to  thefe  purpofcs ;  and 
he  forbids  all  wrangling  among  his  fchoiars,  becaufe 
every  man  may  there  find  a  reafonable  application 
to  his  peculiar  doftrines.  Let  this  be  true  or  falfc,  ic 
does  not  fignify.  This  was  a  limple  Religion,  and 
it  was  fo  far  infpired ;  but  the  minds  of  his  hearers 
"  were  not  fitted  for  receiving  thefe  doftrincs.  I  told 
'■^  you,  fays  he,  but  you  could  not  bear  it.  Many 
^'  therefore  v^ere  called,  but  few  were  chofen.  To 
*'  this  elccft  v/ere  entrufted  the  mod  important  fecrets; 
"  and  even  among  them  there  were  degrees  of  infor- 
"  mation.  There  vvas  a  feventy,  and  a  twelve.  All 
"  this  was  in  the  natural  order  of  things,  and  accr-rd- 
"  ing  to  the  habits  of  the  Jews,  and  indeeii  of  all  an- 
tiquity. Tlic  Jewiili  Theofophy  was  a  myfteryi  * 
like  the  Eleufinian,  or  ihc  Pythagorean,  unfit  tbr 
*^  the  vulgar.  And  thus  the  dodlrines  of  Chriftianity 
were  committed  to  the  Jldcpti,  in  a  DifcipUna  Arcani, 

By  thefe  they  were  maintained  like  the  Veftal  Fire. 

They  v^c-ii  kept  up  only  in  hidden  focieties,  who 
handed  them  dov;n  to  pofierity  ;  and  they  are  now 
poff^dled  by  the  genuine  Free  Malbns." 
N.  B.  This  explains  the  origin  of  many  anoaymous 
pamphlets  which  appeared  about  this  time  in  Germa- 
ny, fhowing  that  Free   Mafonry  was  Chriftianity. 

They  have  doubrlefs  been  the  works  of  Spartacus  and 

his 


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Il8  THE    ILLUMINATI.  CHAP.    II. 

his  partifans  among  the  Ecle<5lic  Mafons.  Nicholai, 
the  great  apotlle  of  infideUty,  had  given  very  favour- 
able reviews  otthefe  performances,  and  having  always 
fhewn  himfelf  an  advocate  of  fuch  writers  as  depreci- 
ated Chriltianity,  it  was  natural  for  him  to  take  this 
opportunity  of  bringing  it  ftill  lower  in  the  opinion  of 
the  people.  Sparcacus  therefore  conceived  a  high  opi- 
nion of  the  importance  of  gaining  Nicholai  to  the  Or- 
der. He  had  before  this  gained  Leuchtfenring,  a  hot- 
headed  fanatic,  who  had  fpicd  Jefuits  in  every  corner, 
and  fct  Nicholai  on  his  journey  through  Germany,  to 
hunt  them  out.  This  man  finding  them  equally  hated 
by  the  Illuminaci,  was  eafily  gained,  and  was  mofl 
zealous  in  their  caufe.  .  He  engaged  Nicholai,  and 
Spartacus  exults  exceedingly  in  the  acquifition,  faying, 
"  that  he  was  an  unwearied  champion,  et  quidem  conten- 
"  tijimiis."  Of  this  man  Phiio  fays,  "  that  he  had 
*'  fpread  this  Chriilianity  into  every  corner  of  Ger-r 
**  many.  I  have  put  meaning,"  fays  Philo,  "  to  all 
"  thefe  dark  fymbols,  and  have  prepared  b0th  de- 
''  grets,  introducing  beautiful  ceremonies,  which  I 
"  have  feleifted  from  among  thofe  of  the  ancient  com- 
"  munions,  combined  with  thofe  of  the  Rofaic  Ma- 
"  fonry ;  and  now,"  fays  he,  "  it  will  appear  that  we 
•  *'  are  the  only  true  Chriftians.  We  fhall  now  be  in  a 
**  condition  to  fay  a  few  words  to  Priefts  and  Princes. 
"  I  have  fo  contrived  things,  that* I  would  admit  even 
"  Popes  and  Kings,  after  the  trials  which  I  have  pre- 
"  fixed  ,  and  they  would  be  glad  to  be  of  the  Order." 
But  how  is  all  this  to  be  reconciled  with  the  plan  of 
Illumination,  which  is  to  banifh  Chriltianity  altoge- 
ther? Philo  hindelf  in  many  places  fays,  "  that  it  is 
^'  only  a  cloak,  to  prevent  fqueamifh  people  from 
"  darting  back."  This  is  done  pretty  much  in  the 
fame  way  that  was  pradtifed  in  the  French  Mafonry. 
In  one  of  their  Rituals  the  Mafter's  degree  is  made 

typical 


CHAP.  II.  THE    ILLUMINATI.  II9 

typical  of  the  death  of  Jefus  Chrift,  the  preacher  of 
Brotherly  love.  But,  in  the  next  tlep,  the  Chevalier 
du  Sokil,  it  is  Reafon  that  has  been  dcllroyed  and  en- 
tombed, and  the  Mafter  in  this  degree,  the  Sublime 
Philofophey  occafions  the  difcovery  of  the  place  where 
the  body  is  hid  -,  Reafon  rifes  again,  and  fiipcrflition 
and  tyranny  difappear,  and  all  becomes  clear  ;  man  be- 
comes free  and  happy. 

Let  us  hear  Spartaciis  again. 


SpartacuSy  in  another  flace. 


cc 


We  muft,  \fi,  gradually  explain  away  all  our  pre- 
"paratory  pious  frauds.   And  when  perfons  ofdifcern- 
"  ment  find  fault,  we  mull  d<^fire  them  to  conlidcr  the 
*^  end  of  all  our  labour.     This    fanftiiies  our    means, 
'*  which  at  any  rate  are  harmlefs,  and  have  been  ufc- 
ful,  even   in    this   cafe,   becauie  they  procured  us  a 
patie^j^t  hearing,  when  otherwife   men   would    have 
turned    away    from   us   like  petted  children.      This 
'*  will  convince  them  of  our  fenciments  in  all  the  in- 
"  tervening   points ;    and   our  ambiguous  exprefTions 
"  will  then  be  interpreted  into  an  endeavour  to  draw 
"  anfwers  of  any  kind,  which  may  rtiow  us  the  minds 
of  our  pupils,     idy  We  muft  unfold,  from  hiftory 
and  other  writings,  the  origin  and  fabrication  of  all 
"  religious   lies  whatever;   and  then,     3.7,  We  give  a 
"  critical    hiftory    of   the  Order.     But    I   cannot'-but 
"  laugh,  when  1  think   of  the  ready  reception  which 
^'  all  this  has  met  with  from  the  grave  and  learned  di- 
'^  vines  of  Germany  and  of  England  ;   and  I  wonder 
how  their  William  failed  when  he  aLceinpted  to  efta- 
blifn  a  Deiftical  Worftiip  in  London,  (what  can  this 
mean  ?)   for,   I   am  certain,  that  it  muft  have  been 
moft  acceptable  to  that  karncd  and  free  people.  But 

"  rhev 


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120  THE    ILLUMINATI.  CHAP.   1 1. 

"  they  IiaJ  not  the  enlightening  of  our  days."  I  may 
here  remark,  tliat  Weiihaiipt  is  prefuming  too  muqh 
on  the  ignorance  of  his  friend,  for  there  was  a  great 
deal  of  this  enliofhtenin^  in  England  at  the  time  he 
fpeaks  of,  and  if  1  am  not  miftaken,  even  this  cele- 
brated ProfcfTor  of  Irreligion  has  borrowed  mod  of  his 
fchenie  from  this  kingdom.  This  to  be  fure  is  nothino; 
in  our  praife.  But  the  Pantheisticon  of  Toland 
refembles  Wcifliaupt's  Illumination  in  every  thing  but 
its  rebellion  and  its  villainy.  Toland's  Socratic  Lodge 
is  n^i  elegant  pattern  for  Weifliaupt,  and  his  Triumph 
of  Reafon,  his  Philofophic  Happinef-;,  his  God,  or 
Anhna  MurJ.i.,  are  all  lo  like  the  harfn  fyflem  of  Spar- 
tacus,  that  I  am  convinced  that  he  has  copied  them, 
Itamping  them  witli  the  roughnels  of  his  own  charac- 
ter. Eur  to  go  on  \  Spartacus  fays  of  the  Englifli  : 
Their  poet  Pope  made  his  Elaliy  on  Man  a  fyllem 
of  pure  naturalifm,  without  knowing  it,  as  Brother 
Chryfippus  did  with  my  Pricft's  Degree,  and  was 
equally  aftoniPned  when  this  was  pointed  out  to  him. 
Chrylippus  is  religious,  but  not  fuptrftitious.  Bro- 
"  ther  Lucian  (Nicolai,  of  whom  I  have  already  laid 
"  fo  much)  fays,  that  tlie  grave  Zolikofer  now  allows 
that  it  would  be  a  very  proper  thing  to  eftablifh  a 
Deiilical  Worfliip  at  Berlin.  I  am  nor  afraid  but 
things  will  go  on  very  well.  But  Piiilo,  who  was 
*'  enrrufced  with  framing  the  Pricft's  Degree,  has  de- 
ftroyed  it  without  any  necefilty  j  it  would,  forfooth, 
frartle  thofe  who  have  a  hankering  for  F.eligion.  But 
I  always  told  you  thatPhiiois  fanatical  and  pruJiflT. 
"  I  travc  him  fine  materials,  and  he  has  (luned  it  full 
of  ceremonies  and  child's  play,  ard  as  Minos  fays, 
c' eft  joner  la  reUgici:.  But  ail  this  may  be  corroclcd 
in  the  revifion  by  the  /Jreopagita." 
>i.  B.  I  have  already  mentioned  Baron  Knigge's 
or.veiiion  to   llluminiitifm   by   the  M.  de  Co  iflanza, 

whofc 


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a. 


CHAP.    II.  THE    ILLUMINATI,  121 

whofe  name  in  the  Order  was  Dlomedes.  Knigge 
(henceforth  Philo)  was,  next  to  Spartacus,  the  moft 
ferviceable  man  in  the  Order,  and  procured  the  great- 
eft  number  of  members.  It  was  chiefly  by  his  exer- 
tions among  the  Mafons  in  the  Proteitant  countries, 
that  the  Eclectic  Syjlem  was  introduced,  and  afterwards 
brought  under  the  diredion  of  the  lUuminati.  This 
conqueft  was  owing  entirely  to  his  very  extenfive  con- 
nections among  the  Mafons.  He  travelled  like  a  phi- 
lofopher  from  city  to  city,  from  Lodge  to  Lodge,  and 
even  from  houfe  to  houfe,  before  his  Illumination,  try- 
ing to  unite  the  Mafons,  and  he  now  went  over  the 
fame  ground  to  extend  the  Echoic  Syftem^  and  to  get 
the  Lodges  put  under  the  direction  of  the  liiuminati, 
by  their  choice  of  the  Mafter  and  Wardens.  By  this 
the  Order  had  an  opportunity  of  noticing  the  conduct 
of  individuals ;  and  when  they  had  found  cue  their 
manner  of  thinking,  and  that  they  were  fit  for  their 
purpofe,  they  never  quitted  them  till  they  had  gained 
them  over  to  their  party.  We  have  feen,  that  he  was 
by  no  means  void  of  religious  imprefiions,  and  v/e  of- 
ten find  him  offended  with  the  acheifm  of  Spartacus. 
Knigge  was  at  the  fame  time  a  man  of  the  world,  and 
had  kept  good  company.  W^eifnanpt  had  paffed  his 
life  in  the  habits  of  a  college :  therefore  he  knew 
Knigge's  value,  and  communicated  to  him  all  his  pro- 
jefts,  to  be  dreffed  up  by  him  for  the  tafte  of  focietv. 
Philo  was  of  a  much  more  affcftionate  difpofition, 
with  fomething  of  a  devotional  turn,  and  was  ihocked 
at  the  hard  indifference  of  Spartacus.  After  labour- 
ing four  years  with  great  zeal,  he  was  provoked  with 
the  difingenuous  tricks  of  Spartacus,  and  he  broke  off 
all  connexion  with  the  Society  in  1784,  and  fume  time 
after  publiflied  a  declaration  of  all  that  he  had  done  in 
it.  This  is  a  moft  excellent  account  of  the  plar>^i 
principles  of  the  Order,  (at  leaft  as  he  conceived  i?, 

(^  for 


122  THE    ILLUMINATI.  CHAP.  H. 

for  Spartacus  had  much  deeper  views,)  and  fliows  that 
the  aim  of  it  was  to  abolilh  ChriiLianity,  and  all  the 
ItaLC-govcrnmencs  in  Europe,  and  to  eftahlifli  a  great 
repubiic.  But  it  is  full  of  romantic  notions  and  enthu- 
fuflic  declamation,  on  the  hackneyed  topics  of  uni- 
vcrfal  citizenniip,  and  liberty  and  equality.  Spartacus 
gave  him  line,  and  allowed  him  to  work  on,  knowing 
that  he  could  difcard  him  when  he  chofe.  I  fliall  after 
this  give  fome  exrrads  from  Philo's  letters,  from  which 
the  reader  will  fee  the  vile  behaviour  of  Spartacus,  and 
the  nature  of  his  ultimate  views.  In  the  mean  time 
we  may  proceed  with  the  account  of  the  principles  of 
the  fvftcm. 


Spartacus  to  Cato. 

"  Nothing  would  be  more  profitable  to  us  than  a 
*'  right  hiftory  of  mankind.  Dcfpotifm  has  robbed 
*'  them  of  their  liberty.  How  can  the  weak  obtain 
"  protection  ?  Only  by  union  ;  but  this  is  rare.  No- 
"  thin";  can   briny;   this   about    but    hidden    focieties. 

DO 

*'  Hidden  fciiools  of  wifdom  are  the  means  which  will 
*'  one  day  free  men  from  their  bonds.  Thefe  have  in 
all  ages  been  the  archives  of  nature,  and  of  the 
rights  of  men  ;  and  by  them  fhall  human  nature  be 
"  raifed  from  her  fallen  ftate.  Princes  and  nations 
*'  fliall  vanifh  from  the  earth.  The  human  race  will 
*'  then  become  one  family,  and  the  world  will  be  the 
"  dv/elling  of  rational  men. 

"  Morality  alone  can  do  this.  The  Head  of  every 
^'  family  will  be  vj^hat  Abraham  was,  the  patriarch,  the 
*'  prieil,  and  the  unlettered  lord  of  his  family,  and 
"  Reafon  will  be  the  code  of  lavv's  to  all  mankind. 
"  I'his,''  fays  Spartacus,  "  is  our  great  secret. 
""True,  there  may  be  fome  difturbance ,  but  by  and 

by 


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CHAP.   II.  THE    ILLUMINATI.  12^ 


(( 


by  the  unequal  will  become  equal ;  and  after  the 
*^  ftorm  all  will  be  calm.  Can  the  unhappy  confc- 
"  quences  remain  when  the  grounds  of  diilenfion  are 
"  removed  ?  Roufe  yourfelves  therefore,  O  men  !  af- 
"  fert  your  rights,  and  then  will  Reafon  rule  with  un- 
"  perceived  fway ;  and  all  shall  be  happy.* 

'^  Morality  will  perform  all  this  ;  and  morality  is 
*'  the  fruit  of  Illumination  ;  duties  and  rights  arc  reci- 
procal. V/here  Oduvius  has  no  right,  Cato  owes 
him  no  duty.  Illumination  ilievvs  us  our  rights,  and 
"  Morality  follows  i  that  Morality  which  teaches  us 
"  to  be  of  age.,  to  be  out  of  wardenfljif^  to  ht  full  grown ^ 
^^  and  to  walk  without  the  leading  firings  cfpriefis  and 
"  princes.'' 

"  Jefus  of  Nazareth,  the  Grand  Mader  of  our  Or- 
*'  der,  appeared  at  a  time  when  the  world  was  in  the 
<'  utmoft  diforder,  and  among  a  people  who  for  acres 
'^  had  groaned  under  the  yoke  of  bondage.  Fie  taught 
«'  them  the  leiTons  of  Reafon.  To  be  more  effcdive, 
^'  he  took  in  the  aid  of  Religion — of  opinions  which 
*'  were  current — and,  in  a  very  clever  manner ^  he  com- 
<^  bined  his  fecrct  do6trines  with  the  popular  religion, 
*'  and  with  the  cuftoms  Vv/hich  lay  to  his  hand.  In 
<'  thefe  he  wrapped  up  his  leflbns — he  taught  by  para- 
«'  bles.  Never  did  any  prophet  lead  men  fo  eafiiyand 
<'  fo  fecurely  along  the  road  of  liberty.  He  concealed 
*'  the  precious  meaning  and  confequences  ot  his  doc- 
<«  trines  j  but  fully  difclofed  them  t®  a  chofen  few.  He 
"  fpeaks  of  a  kingdom  of  the  upriglit  and  faithful  j  his 
''  Father's  kingdom,  whofe  children  we  alio  are.  Let 
"  us  only  take  Liberty  and  Equality  as  the  great  aim 

"  of 

*  Happy  France  !   Cradle   of  Iliumination,  where  the  morning 
of   Reafon  has  dawned,  difpelling   the   clouds   of  Monarchy  and^ 
Chrlftianity,  where  the  babe  has  fuc'^ed  the  blood  of  the  unenlight- 
ened, and  Murder  !   Fire  i    Help  !  has  been  the  lulUby  to  fing  it  to 
flee  p. 


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124  THE    ILLUMINATI.  CHAP.    II. 

"  of  his  do(5lrines,  and  Morality  as  the  way  to  attain  it, 
"  and  everv  thing  in  the  New  Teftament  will  be  com- 
*'  prehennble  ;  and  Jefus  will  appear  as  the  Redeemer 
"  of  (laves.  Man  is  fallen  from  the  condition  of  Li- 
^'  berty  and  Equality,  the  state  of  pure  nature. 
"  He  is  under  fubordination  and  civil  bondage,  arifing 
"  from   the   vices  of  man.     This   is  the  fall,  and 

"    ORIGINAL   SIN.        The  KINGDOM   OF    GRACE  IS  that 

*'  reftoration  which  may  be  brought  about  by  Illumi- 
nation and  a  juft:  Morality.  This  is  the  new  birth. 
When  man  lives  under  government,  he  is  fallen,  his 
"  worth  is  gone,  and  his  nature  tarnillied.  By  fubdu- 
"  ing  our  paffions,  or  limiting  their  cravings,  we  may 
*'  recover  a  ereat  deal  of  our  original  worth,  and  live 
"  in  a  ftate  of  grace.  This  is  the  redemption  of  men 
— this  is  accompliflied  by  Morality  j  and  when  this 
is  fpread  over  the  world,  we  have  the  kingdom 

CF  THE  JUST. 

*'  But,  alas!  the  tafk  of  fclf-formation  was  too  hard 
for  the  fubjeccsof  the  Roman  empire,  corrupted  by 
every  fpecies  of  profligacy.  A  chofen  few  received 
the  do6trines  in  fecret,  and  they  have  been  handed 
down  to  us  (but  frequently  almoft  buried  under  rub- 
bifli  of  man's  invention)  by  the  Free  Mafons.  Thefe 
tliree  conditions  of  human  fociety  are  exprelTed  by 
the  rough,  the  fplit,  and  the  polifhed  ftone.  The 
rougji  ftone,  and  the  one  that  is  fplit,  exprefs  our 
condition  under  civil  government  ;  rough  by  every 
fretting  inequality  of  condition  j  and  fplit,  fince  we 
are  no  longer  one  family  -,  and  are  farther  divided 
by  differences  of  government,  rank  property,  and 
religion  ;  but  when  reunited  in  one  family,  we  are 
repiefcnted  by  the  polifhed  flone.  G.  is  Grace  -, 
[^  the  Flaming  Star  is  the  Torch  of  Rcafon.  Thofe 
''  who  poffefs  this  knowledge  are  indeed  illuminati. 
"  Hiram  is  our  fiditious  Grand   Matter,  flain  for   the 


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"     REDEMP- 


CHAP.   II.  THE    ILLUMINATI.  I25 

*'  REDEMPTION  OF  SLAVES  J  the  Nine  Mafcers  are 
**  the  Founders  of  the  Order.  Free  Mafonry  is  a 
"  Royal  Art,  inafmuch  as  it  teaches  us  to  walk  vvith- 
"  out  trammels,  and  to  govern  ouriclves." 

Reader,  are  you  not  curious  to  learn  Ibmethingof 
this  all-powerful  morality,  fo  operative  on  the  heart  of 
the  truly  illuminated — of  this  dtjciplina  arcani^^^xxu^tdi 
only  to  the  chofen  few,  and  handed  down  to  ProfefTor 
Weifhaupt,  toSpartacus,  and  his  affociates,  who  have 
cleared  it  of  the  rubbiili  heaped  on  it  by  the  dim-fight- 
ed  Mafons,  and  now  beaming;  in  its  native  luftre  on 
the  minds  of  the  Areo'pagita  ?  The  teachers  of  ordinary 
Chriftianity  have  been  labouring  for  almoll  2000  years, 
with  the  New  Teflament  in  their  hands  ;  many  of 
them  with  great  addrefs,  and  many,  I  believe,  with 
honeft  zeal.  But  alas  !  they  cannot  produce  fuch  won- 
derful and  certain  effefts,  (for  obfcrve,  that  Weifiiaupt 
repeatedly  aluires  us  that  his  means  are  certain,)  pro- 
bably for  want  odhh  difciplina  arcaniy  of  whole  efficacy 
fo  much  is  faid.  Moft  fortunately,  Spartacus  has 
given  us  a  brilliant  fpecimen  of  the  ethics  which  illu- 
minated himfelf  on  a  trying  occafion,  where  an  ordi- 
nary Chriilian  would  have  been  much  perplexed,  or 
would  have  taken  a  road  widely  diiTerent  from  that  of 
this  illuftrious  apoftle  of  light.  And  feeing  that  feverai 
of  the  Arecpagitae  CO- o^trzitd  in  the  tranfatftion,  and 
that  it  was  carefully  concealed  from  the  profane  and 
dim-fighted  world,  we  can  have  no  doubt  but  that  it 
was  condu6led  according  to  tht  difdplina  arcani  of  Il- 
lumination.     I  ihall  give  it  in  his  own  words. 


Spartacus  to  ?/idrius,  September  1783. 

"  I  am  now  in  the   m.ofl:  embarrafnng  fituation  ;   it 
*'  robs   mc  of  all  red,  and  makes  mc  unlic  for  every 

"   tiling. 


126  THE    ILLUMINATI.  CHAP.    II. 

"  tiling.     I  am  in  danger  of  lofing  at  once  my  honour 
"  and  my  reputation,   by  which  I  have  long  had  fuch 
•'  inMiience.      What  think  you  r — my  fiftrr-in-law   is 
"  with  child.     1  have  fcnt  her    to  Euriphon,  and   am 
**  endeavouring  to  procure    a    marriage-licence  from 
*'  Rome.     How  much  depends  on  this  uncertainty — 
**  and   there  is  not  a  moment  to  iofe.     Should   I  fail, 
''  what  is  to  be   done  ?  What  a  return  do  I  make  by 
**  this  to  a  perfon  to  whom  I  am  fo  much  obliged  1" 
(We  IhalHce  the  probable   meaning  of  this  exclama- 
tion by  and   by).      "  W'e  have  tried  every  method  in 
"  our  power  to  deftroy  the   child  ;  and   I  hope  fhe   is 
"  determined   on  every   thing — even  d — ."  (Can  this 
mean  death  r)   "  But  alas  !   Euriphon  is,  1  fear,  too  ti- 
'*   mid,"   (alas  !    poor    woman,  thou    art   now    under 
the  difciflina  arcaniy)  *'  and   I  fee    no  other  expedient. 
"  Could  I  be  but  allured  of  the   filcnce  of  Celfus,  (a 
*'  phyfician  at  Irgolftadt,)  he  can  relieve  me,  and  he 
*'  -promijed  me  as  much  three  years  ago.     Do  fpeak    to 
**   him,  if  you  think  he  v/ill  be  ft.iunch.    I  would  not  let 
*'  Ciito"  (his  dearell:  friend,  and  his  chief  or  only  con- 
fident in  the  fcheme  of  Illumination)    "  know  it  yet, 
"  becaufe  the  affair  in  otherrefpedls  requires  his  whole 
"  friendfliip."     (Cato  had   all  the    pretty    receipts.) 
*  Could  you    but   help  me   out  of  this  diflrefs,  you 
would  give  me  life,  honour,  and  peace,  and jirength 
to  zvGrk  again  in  the  great  cauje.     If  you  cannot,   be 
"  allured  I  will  venture  on  the  moft  defperate  llroke," 
(poor  filler  !)   "  fur  it  is  fixed. — I  will  not  lofc  my  ho- 
*'  nonr.     I  cannot  conceive  what  devilhas  made  me  g-o 
**   aft  ray — me  who  have  always  teen  fo  careful  en  fuch  cc- 
"  cafions.     As  yet  all  is  quiet,  and  none  know  of  it  but 
*f  you  and  Euriphon.     Were  it  but  time  to  undertake 
"  any  thing — but  alas  !   it  is  the  fourth  month.   Thofe 
**  damned  priefts  too — for  the  action  is   fo  criminally 
'*  accounted  bv  them,  and  fcandalifcs  the  blood.  This 

**  makes 


< 

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CHAP.   II,  THE    ILLUMINATI.  1 1'/ 

"  makes  the  iitmoft  efforts  and  the  mod  defperate 
*'  mtafures  abfolutcly  neceflary." 

It  will  throw  rome  light  on  this  tranfadion  if  we  read 
a  k-rter  from  Spartacus  to  Cato  about  this  time. 

*^'  One  thing  more,  my  deareft  friend — Would  it  be 
<*  agreeable  to  you  to  have  me  for  a  brother-in-law  ? 
*«  If  this  fhould  be  agreeable,  and  if  it  can  be  brought 
'«  about  without  prejudice  to  my  honour,  as  I  hope  it 
*'  may,  I  am  not  without  hopes  that  the  connexion 
"  may  take  place.  But  in  the  mean  time  keep  it  a 
*»  fecret,  and  only  give  me  permiffion  to  enter  into 
'^  correfpondence  on  the  fubjcd:  with  the  good  lady, 
**  to  whom  I  beg  you  will  oficr  my  refpeftful  compli- 
"  ments,  and  I  v/ill  explain  myfelf  more  fully  to  you 
"  by  word  of  mouth,  and  tell  you  my  whole  fituation, 
''  But  1  repeat  it — the  thing  muft  be  gone  about  with 
"  addrefs  and  caution.  I  would  not  for  all  the  v/orki 
"  deceive  a  perfon  who  certainly  has  not  deferved  fo 


"  of  me." 


What  interpretation  can  be  put  on  this  ?  Cato  feems 
to  be  brother  to  the  poor  woman — he  was  unwittingly 
to  furnifli  the  drugs,  and  he  was  to  be  dealt  with  about 
confcnting  to  a  marriage,  which  could  not  be  altoge- 
ther agreeable  to  him,  fince  it  required  a  difpenfition, 
jfhe  being  already  the  fider-in-law  of  Weifhaupt,  either 
the  filler  of  his  former  wife,  or  the  widow  of  a  deceaied 
brother.  Or  perhaps  Spartacus  really  wifhes  to  marry 
Cato's  filler,  a  different  perfon  from  the  poor  woman 
in  the  ftraw ;  and  he  conceals  this  adventure  from  his 
trufty  friend  Cato,  till  he  fees  what  becomes  of  it. 
The  child  may  perhaps  be  got  rid  of,  and  then  Spar- 
tacus is  a  free  man.  There  is  a  letter  to  Cato,  thank- 
ing him  for  his  friendfl:iip  in  the  affair  of  the  child — 
but  it  gives  no  light.  I  meet  with  another  account, 
that  the  filler  of  Zwack  threw  herfclf  from  the  top  of 
a  tower,  and  beat  our  her  brains.     But  it  is  not  faid 

that 


128  THE    ILLUMINATI.  CHAP.   II. 

that  it  was  an  only  fifteri  if  it  was,  the  probability  is, 
that  Spartacus  had  paid  his  addrelTfs  to  her,  and  fuc- 
ceedcd,  and  that  the  fubfequent  affair  of  his  marriage 
with  his  filler-in-law,  or  fomething  worfe,  broke  her 
heart.  This  feems  the  belt  account  of  the  matter. 
For  Hertel  (Marius)  writes  to  Zwack  in  November 
1782  :  "  Spartacus  is  this  day  gone  home,  but  has  left 
"  his  fifter-in-law  pregnant  behind  (this  is  from  BafTus 
"  Hoff).     About  the  new  year  he  hopes  to  be  made 

"  merry  by  a ,  who  will  be  before  all  kings  and 

princes — a  young  Spartacus.  The  Pope  alfo  will 
refpecft  him,  and  legitimate  him  befjre  the  time." 
Now,  vulgar  Chrillian,  compaie  this  with  the  for- 
mer declaration  of  Weifliaupt,  where  he  appeals 
to  the  tenor  of  his  former  life,  which  had  been 
fo  feverely  fcrutinifcd,  without  diminifhing  his  high 
reputation  and  great  influence,  and  his  ignorance  and 
abhorrence  of  all  thofe  things  found  in  Caro's  repofito- 
ries.  You  fee  this  was  a  furprife — he  had  formerly 
proceeded  cautioufly — "  He  is  the  bed  man,"  fays 
Spartacus,  "  who  beft  conceals  his  faults." — He  was 
difappointed  by  Celfus,  zvho  had  p'omifed  him  his  ajfij- 
tance  on  Juch  occofwns  three  years  ago,  during  all  which 
time  he  had  been  bufy  in  •'  forming  himfclf."  How 
far  he  has  advanced,  the  reader  may  judge. 

One  is  curious  to  know  what  became  of  the  poor 
woman  :  fhe  was  afterwards  taken  to  the  houfe  of  Ba- 
ron Balfus ;  but  here  the  fooli(h  woman,  for  want  of 
that  courage  which  Illumination  and  the  bright  prof- 
pe6t  of  eternal  fieep  Hiould  have  produced,  took  fright 
at  the  dijciplini  arcnniy  left  the  houfe,  and  in  the  hidden 
fociety  of  a  midwife  and  nurfe  brought  forth  a  young 
Spartacus,  who  now  lives  to  thank  his  father  for  his 
endeavours  to  murder  him.  A  "  damned priejl^"  the 
good  Bifliop  of  Freyfingen,  knowing  the  cogent  rea- 
fons,  procured   the  dii])enfation,    and   Spartacus   was 

obliged, 


CHAP.  ir.  THE  ILLUMINATI.  ^^9 

obli-ed,  like  another  dim  fighted  mortal  to  marry 
her''  The  fcandal  was  hufhed,  and  would  not  have 
been  dilcovered  had  it  not  been  for  thefe  private  wri- 

^^"  But     Spartacus      fays     "   that    when    you     think 
«  him  funk  to  the  bottom,  he  will  fpring    up  with 
"  double    vigour."       In    a    fubfequent    work,    call- 
ed Sbori  AnendmerJ  of  my  Plan,  he  fays,  "  If  men  were 
"  not  habituated  to  wicked  manners,  his  letters  would 
''  be   their  own  juftification."     He  does  not  fay  that 
he  is  without  fault ;   "  but  they  are  faults  of  the  under- 
<c  ftandinp-~-not  of  the  heart.     He  had,  firftofall,  to 
*«  form  h'm-ifelf;  and  this  is  a  work  of  time."     In  the 
affair  of  his  fifter-in-law  he  admits  the  fads,  and  the 
attempts  to  deftroy  the   child;   "  but  this  is  far  from 
<«  provincT  any  depravity  of  heart.     In  his  condition, 
*'  his  honour  at  (lake,  what  elfe  was  left  him  to  do  ? 
"  His  greaceft  enemies,  the  Jefuits,  have  taught  that 
*'  in  fuch  a  cafe  it  is  lawful  to  make   away  with  the 
<^  child,"  and  he  quotes  authorities  from  their  books.* 
''  In  the  introduftory  fault  he  has  the  example  of  the 
"  beft  of  men.     The  fecond  was   its  natural  confe- 
*'  quence,  it  was  altogether  involuntary,  and,  in  the 
"  eve  of  a  philofophical  judge"  (I  prefumeofthe  Gal- 
lic School)  "  vvho  does  not  fquare  himfelf  by  the  harfli 
<'  letters  of  ^  blcod-thirfiy  lawgiver^  he  has  but  a  very 
«*  triflincr  account  to  fettle.     He  had  become  a  public 
*^  teacher,  and  was   greatly  followed  ;    this   example 
"  mght  have  ruined  many  young  7nen.     The  eyes  of  the 
^^  Order  alfo  were  fixed  on  him.     The  edifice  refVed 
**  on  his  credit ;  had  he  fallen,  he  could  no  longer  have 

R  "  been 

*  This  is  flatly  contradiiEled  in  a  pamphlet  by  F.  Stnttlcr,  a  Ca- 
tholic clero-ym.-in  of  moil  refpedlable  charader,  who  here  CKpoie:i, 
in  the  mo(f incontrovertible  manner,  the  impious  plots  of  VVeifnaupt, 
his  total  difregajd  to  truth,  his  counterfeit  anti;]ues,  and  all  his 
lies  aorainil  the  Jefuits. 


13©  THE  ILLUMINATl.  CHAP.  II. 


it 


cc 


leen  in  a  condition  to  treat  the  matters  of  virtue  Jo  as  tii 
make  a  lajiing  imprejjicn.  It  was  chiefly  his  anxiety 
to  fupport  the  credit  of  the  Order  which  determined 
*'  him  to  take  this  ilep.  It  makes/t/r  him,  but  by  no 
*'  means  c.gainfi  him  ;  and  the  pcrlons  who  arc  moft 
*'  in  fault  are  the  flavilli  inquificors,  who  have  pub- 
*'  lifijed  the  tranfaftion,  in  order  to  make  his  charac- 
*^  ter  more  remarkable,  and  to  hurt  the  Order  throu<?h 
his  perfon  ;  and  they  have  not  fcrupled,  for  this  hel- 
lifli  purpofe,  to  (lir  up  a  chiki  againil  his  father  ! ! !" 
I  make  no  refleftions  on  this  very  remarkable,  and 
highly  ufeful  ftory,  but  content  myfelf  with  faying, 
that  this  juftification  by  WclIlTaupt  (whicli  I  have  been 
careful  to  give  in  his  own  words)  is  the  greatcfl:  inftance 
of  effrontery  and  infult  on  the  fentirnenrs  of  miankind 
that  I  have  ever  met  with.  We  are  all  fuppofcd  as 
completely  corrupted  as  it  we  had  lived  under  the  full, 
blaze  of  Illumination. 

In  other  places  of  this  curious  correfpondence  we 
learn  that  Minos,  and  others  of  the  ylreopagitcc^  wanted 
to  introduce  Atheifm  at  once.,  and  not  go  hedging  in 
the  manner  they  did;  aftirming  it  was  eaficr  to  Ihew 
at  once  that  Atheifm  was  friendly  to  fociety,  than  to 
explain  all  their  Mafonic  Chriftianity,  which  they  were 
afterwards  to  fhew  to  be  a  bundle  of  lies.  Indeed  this 
purpofe,  of  not  only  abolifhing  Chriftianity,  but  all 
pofitive  religion  whatever,  was  Weifliaupt's  favourite 
fcheme  from  the  beginning.  Before  he  canvaiied  for 
his  Order,  in  1774,  he  publilhed  a  ftclitious  antique, 
which  he  called  Sidonii  Afdlinarus  Fragmeyita^  to  pre- 
pare (as  he  exprefsly  fays  in  another  place)  mens  minds 
for  the  dodrines  of  Realbn,  which  contains  all  the  de- 
teftable  doctrines  of  Robinet's  book  Idela  Nature.  The 
publication  of  the  fccond  part  was  flopped.  Weifhaupt 
fays  in  his  Apology  for  the  Illuminati,  that  be- 
fore 1780  he  hati  retracted  his  opinions  about  Materi- 
al ifm. 


CHAP.  il.  THE    ILLUMINMTI.  IJI 

alifm,  and  about  the  inexpediency  of  Princes.  But 
this  1.S  falie  :  Philo  fays  expreisiy,  that  every  thing  re- 
mained on  its  original  footing  in  the  whole  pradice 
and  dogmas  of  the  Order  when  he  quitted  it  in  July 
1784.  All  this  was  concealed,  and  even  the  abomi- 
nable Mafonry,  in  the  account  of  the  Order  which 
Weiihaiipt  published  at  Rcgenfburg ;  and  it  required 
the  conftant  efforts  of  Philo  to  prevent  bare  or  flac 
Atheifm  from  being  uniformly  taught  in  their  degrees. 
He  had  told  the  council  that  Zeno  would  not  be  under 
a  roof  with  a  man  who  denied  the  im-mortality  of  the 
foul.  He  complains  of  Minus's  cramming  irreligion 
down  their  throats  in  every  meeting,  and  fays,  that  he 
frightened  many  from  entering  the  Order.  "  Truth," 
fays  Philo,  "  is  a  clever,  but  a  modeft  girl,  who  mufl: 
"  be  led  by  the  hand  like  a  gentlewoman,  but  not 
"  kicked  about  like  a  whore."  Spartacus  complains 
much  of  the  fqueamifhnefs  of  Philo  i  yet  Philo  is  not 
a  great  deal  behind  him  in  irreligion.  When  defcrib- 
ing  to  Cato  the  Chriftianity  of  the  Prieft-degree,  as 
he  had  manufa61:ured  it,  he  fays,  "  It  is  all  one  whe- 
"  ther  it  be  true  or  falfe,  we  mufc  have  it,  that  we 
"  may  tickle  thofe  who  have  a  hankering  for  religion." 
All  the  odds  feems  to  be,  that  he  was  of  a  gentler  dif- 
pofition,  and  had  more  deference  even  for  the  abfurd 
prejudices  of  others.  In  one  of  his  angry  letters  to 
Cato  he  fays :  '•  The  vanity  and  felf- conceit  of  Spar- 
'"  tacus  would  have  got  the  better  of  all  prudence,  had 
I  not  checked  him,  and  prevailed  on 'the  Arecpagitce 
but  to  defer  the  developement  of  the  bold  principles 
til!  we  had  firmly  fccured  the  man.  I  even  wiihed 
to  entice  the  candidate  the  more  by  giving  him  back 
all  his  former  bonds  of  fecrecy,  and  leaving  him  at 
liberty  to  walk  out  v-zithout  fear  j  and  I  am  certain 
'^  that  they  were,  by  this  time,  fo  engaged  that  we 
"  fliould  not  have  loll  one  man.  But  Spartacus  had 
"  compofed  an  exhibition  of  his  lalt  principles,  for  a 

"  difcaurfe 


cc 


cc 


132  THE  ILLUMINATI.  CHAP.   II.  • 

difcourfe  of  reception,  in  which  he  painted  his  three 
favourite  myfterious  degrees,  which  were  to  be  con- 
ferred by  hira  alone,  in  colours  which  had  fafcina- 
ted  his  own  fancy.  But  they  were  the  colours  of 
hell,  and  would  have  feared  the  mod  intrepid  -,  and 
**  becaufc  I  reprefented  the  danger  of  this,  and  by 
'*  force  obtained  the  omiHion  of  this  pidure,  he  be- 
'*  came  my  implacable  enemy.  I  abhor  treachery 
"  and  profligacy,  and  leave  him  to  blow  himfelf  and 
'*  his  Order  into  the  air." 

Accordingly  this  happened.  It  was  this  which  ter- 
rified one  of  the  four  profeflbrs,  and  made  him  impart 
his  doubts  to  the  reft.  Yet  Spartacus  feems  to  have 
profited  by  the  apprehenfions  of  Philoj  for  in  the  laft 
reception,  he,  for  the  firft  time,  exafts  a  bond  from 
the  intrant,  engaging  himfelf  for  ever  to  the  Order, 
and  fvvearing  that  he  will  never  draw  back.  Thus  ad- 
mitted, he  becomes  a  fure  card.  The  courfe  of  his 
life  is  in  the  hands  of  the  Order,  and  his  thoughts  on 
a  thoufand  dangerous  points ;  his  reports  concerning 
his  neighbours  and  friends ;  in  fhort,  his  honour  and 
his  neck.  The  Deift,  thus  led  on,  has  not  far  to  go 
before  he  becomes  a  Naturalift  or  Athcift  ;  and  then 
the  eternal  fleep  of  death  crowns  all  his  humble  hopes. 
Before  giving  an  account  of  the  higher  degrees,  I 
fhall  juft  extraft  from  one  letter  more  on  a  fingular 
fubjeift. 

Minos  to  Sehajiian,  1782. 

"  The  propofal  of  Hercules  to  eftablifh  a  Minerval 
"  fchool  for  girls  is  excellent,  but  requires  much  cir- 
f'  cumfpedion.  Philo  and  I  have  long  converfed  on 
"  this  fubjeft.  We  cannot  improve  the  world  with- 
"  out  improving  women,  who  have  fuch  a  mighty  in- 
^'  Buence  on  the  men.     But  ho>y  fhall  we  get  hold  of 

'*  them  ? 


CHAP.  U.  THE   ILLUMIN'ATI.  1^2 

"  them  ?  Flow  will   their  relations,  particularly  their 
*'  mothers,  immerred  in  prejudices,  conlcnc  that  ochers 
*'  Ihall  influence  their  education  ?  We  muft  begin  with 
"  grown  girls.     Hercules  propolcs  the  wife  ot  Ptole- 
"  my  Magus.     I  have  no  objection  ;  and  I  have  four 
"  ftep-daughters,  fine  girls.     The  okleft  in  particular 
"  is  excellent.      She  is  twenty-four,   has  read  much,  is 
^'  above  all  prejudices,  and  in  religion  fhe  thinks  as  I  do. 
"  They  have  much  acquaintance  among  the  young  la- 
"  dies  their  relations.   (N.  B,  We  don't  know  the  rank 
*'  of  Minos,    but  as  he  does  not  ufe  the  word  Damen, 
"  but  Frauenzlmmery  it  is  probable  that  it  is  not  high.) 
"  It  may  immediately  be  a  very  pretty  Society,  under 
the  management  of  Ptolemy's  wife,   but  really  un- 
der ^/'j  management.     You  muft  cjntrive  pretty  de- 
grees, and  dreffes,   and  ornaments,  and  elegant  and 
"  decent  rituals.     No  man  muil  be  admitted.      This 
will  make  them   become   miore  keen,  and  they  will 
go  much  farther  than  if  we  were  prefent,  or  than  if 
they  thought  that   we   knew  of  their  proceedings. 
Leave  them  to  the  fcope  of  their  own  fancies,  and 
they  will  foon  invent  myfteries  which  will  put  us  to 
*'  the  blufh,  and   create   an   enthufiafm  which  we  can 
*^  never  equal.     They  will  be  our  great  apoflles.   Re- 
**  fled;  on  the   refped,  nay  the  awe  and  terror  infpired 
"  by  the  female  myftics  of  antiquity.     (Think  of  the 
**  Daniads — think  of  the  Thcban  Bacchantes.')    Ptole- 
**  my's  wife  mull  direct  them,  and  ilie  will  be  inftrutl- 
**  ed  by  Ptomlemy,  and  my  Hep- daughters  will  con- 
*'  fult  with   me.     We  mull  always  be  at  hand  to  pre- 
**  vent  the  introdu6lion  of  any  improper  queflion.  We 
*^  muft  prepare  themes    for  their  dilcufTion — thus  we 
**  fhall  confefs  them,  and  infpire  them  with  our  fenti- 
*^  ments.     No   man  however   muli  come  near  them. 
*'  This  will  fire  their  roving  fancies,   and  we  maycx- 
^'  pc(5b  rare  myfterie^,     But  1  am  doubtful   whether 

''  this 


<c 


134  "^"^  ILLUMir/iATI.  GHAP.   11. 

this  AiTociation  will  be  durable.  Women  are  fickle 
and  impatient.  Noc'iing  will  pleafe  them  but  hur- 
rying from  degree  to  degree,  through  a  heap  of  in- 
figniticanc  ceremonies,  which  will  foon  lofe  tlieir 
novelty  and  influence.  To  reft  ferioufly  in  one 
rank,  and  to  be  fbill  and  filent  when  they  have  found 
out  that  the  whole  is  a  cheat,  (hear  the  v/ords  of  an 
experienced  Mafon,)  is  a  talk  of  which  they  are  in- 
capable. They  have  not  our  motives  to  perfevere 
for  years,  allowing  themfelves  to  be  led  about,  and 
even  then  to  hold  their  tongues  when  they  find  that 
they  have  been  deceived.  Nay  there  is  a  riik  that 
they  may  take  it  into  their  heads  to  give  things  an 
oppofite  turn,  and  then,  by  voluptuous  allurements, 
heightened  by  affected  modefty  and  decency,  which 
give  them  an  irrefiltible  empire  over  the  beft  men, 
they  may  turn  our  Order  upfide  down,  and  in  their 
turn  will  lead  the  new  one." 
Such  is  the  information  which  may  be  got  from  the 
private  correfpondence.  It  is  needlefs  to  make  more 
extrafts  of  every  kind  of  vice  and  trick.  I  have  taken 
fuch  as  fhew  a  little  of  the  plan  of  the  Order,  as  far 
as  the  degree  of  Illumhuitus  Minor y  and  the  vile  pur- 
pofes  which  are  concealed  under  all  their  fpecious  de- 
clamation. A  very  minute  account  is  given  of  the 
plan,  the  ritual,  ceremonies,  &c.  and  even  thr.'inftruc- 
tions  and  diftourfcs,  in  a  book  called  the  ylchte  Illu- 
miiiatj  publiflied  at  Edejfa  (Frankfurt)  in  1787.  Philo 
fays,  "  that  this  is  quite  accurate,  but  that  he  does 
"  not  know  the  author."  I  proceed  to  give  an  ac- 
count of  their  higher  degrees,  as  they  are  to  be  fcen 
in  the  book  called  Iseuefie  Arbeitung  des  Spartacus  und 
F/jila.  And  the  authenticity  of  the  accounts  is  atceft- 
cd  by  Grollm.an,  a  private  gentleman  of  independent 
fortune,  who  read  them,  figned  and  iealed  by  Sparta- 
cus and  the  Arecfagitie, 

The 


CHAP.  II.  THE    ILLUMINATI.  135 

The  fcries  of  ranks  and  progrcfs  of  the  pupil  were 
arranged  as  follows: 

Preparation, 

.-,  , Novice, 

Nursery, <  ■p./r-  , 

'I Minerv:il, 

Illumin.  Minor. 


fSym-    C Apprentice, 

I  ^olic    < Fellow  Crafr, 

Masonry,^  C.-^ = Mafter, 

p       ,  ^  Ilium.  Majors  Scotch  Novice 
\  Ilium,  dirigensy  ScotchKnio-ht, 


[ 


'      Greater      ^       ^ 


I 


The  reader  mud  be  almoft  fick  of  fo  much  viilanv, 
and  would  be  difguftcd  with  the  minute  detail,  in  which 
the  cant  of  the  Order  is  ringing  continually  in  his  ear?. 
I  (liall  therefore  only  give  fuch  a  fhort  extract  as  may 
fix  our  notions  of  the  objeft  of  the  Order,  and  the  mo- 
rality of  the  mieans  employed  for  attaining  it.  We 
need  not  go  back  to  the  lower  degrees,  and  Ihali  begin 
with  the  Illumin ATUS  dirigens,  or  Scotch 
Knight. 

After  a  fhort  introduftion,  teaching  us  how  the  holy 
fecret  Chapter  of  Scotch  Knights  is  aiie  moled,  we  have, 

I.  Fuller  accounts  and  inftru<5lions  relating  to  the  whole. 

II.  Infrrudlions  for  the  lower  clafTes  of  Mafc^nry.  HI. 
Inftruftions  relatingr  to  Maibn  Lodo:es  in  o-enerai.  IV*. 
Account  of  a  reception  into  this  degree,  wiih  the  bend 
which  each  fubfcribes  before  he  can  be  admitted.  V. 
Concerninp-  the  Solemn  Chapter  for  receotion.  VI. 
Opening  of  the  Chapter,  VII.  Ritual  of  Reception, 
and  the  Oath.     VIII.   Shutting  of  the    Chaprer.'    IX. 


1^6  TIJL    ILLUMINATI.  CHAP.  l/. 


(( 
cc 
a 
cc 


AgapCy  or  Love-Feaft.  X.  Ceremonies  ofthe  confe- 
cration  of  the  Chap^tr.  Appendix  A,  Explanation -of 
the  Symbols  of  Free  Mafonry.  B,  Catechifm  for  the 
Scoccii  Knight.     C,  Secret  Cypher. 

In  N"^*  1.  it  is  laid  that  the  "  chief  fbudy  of  the 
"  Scotch  Knight  is  to  work  on  all  men  in  fuch  a  way 
"  as  is  moil  infmuating.  II.  He  mull  endeavour  to 
acquire  the  polTcITion  of  confiderable  property.  III. 
In  all  Mafon  Lodges  we  muft  try  fccretly  to  get  the 
upper  hand.  The  Mafons  do  not  know  what  Free- 
Mafonry  is,  their  high  obje6ls,  nor  their  highell 
Superiors,  and  fhould  be  directed  by  thofe  who  will 
"  lead  thetn  along  the  right  road.  In  preparing  a  can- 
"  didate  for  the  degree  of  Scotch  Knighthood,  we 
"  miifi  bring  him  into  dilemmas  by  enfnaring  queltions. 
— We  muil  endeavour  to  get  the  difpofal  of  the  mo- 
ney of  the  Lodges  of  the  Free  Mafons,  or  at  lead 
take  care  that  it  be  applied  to  purpofes  favourable 
to  our  Order — but  this  muft  be  done  in  away  that 
**  fl"!a]l  not  be  remarked.  Above  all,  we  mull  pufh 
"  forward  with  all  our  fkill,  the  plan  ofEclefcic  Ma- 
*'  fonry,  and  for  this  purpofe  follow  up  the  circular 
"  letter  already  fent  to  all  the  Lodges  v;ith  every 
"  thing-  that  can  increafc  their  prefentembarrairment." 
In  the  bond  of  N'"*  IV.  the  candidate  binds  himfelf  to 
"  confider  and  treat  the  Illuminati  as  the  Superiors  of 
'^  Free  Mafonry,  and  endeavour  in  all  the  rvlafon 
'^  Lodgc-s  which  he  frequents,  to  have  the  Mafonry  of 
"  the  lllulninated,  and  particularly  the  Scotch  Novi- 
"  tiatt,  introduced  into  the  Lodge."  (This  is  not 
very  different  from  the  Mafonry  of  the  Chevalier  dc 
VAi'^le  of  the  Rofaic  Mafonry,  makins;  the  Mailer's 
degree  a  fort  of  commemoration  of  the  paffuon,  but 
without  giving  that  character  to  Chriilianity  which  is 
peculiar  co  Lluminatifm.)  Jefus  Chrill  is  reprefcnted 
as  the  enemy  of  fup-rftitious   obfervances,  and  the  af- 

icrtor 


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eHAP.  II.  THE  ILLUMINATI.  IJ.7 

fertor  of  the  Empire  of  Reafon  and  of  Brotherly  love, 
and  his  death  and  memory  as  dear  to  mankind.  This 
evidently  paves  the  way  for  Wcifhaupt's  Chriftianicy. 
The  Scotch  Knight  alfo  engages  '^  to  confldcr  the 
*^  Superiors  of  the  Order  as  the  unknown  Superiors  of 
"  Free  Mafonry,  and  to  contribute  all  he  can  to  their 
"  gradual  union."  In  the  Oath,  N"  VII.  the  candi- 
date fays,  "  I  will  never  more  be  a  flatterer  of  the  great, 
I  will  never  be  a  lowly  fcrvant  of  princes  ;  but  I  wWl 
ftrive  with  fpirit,  and  with  addrcfs,  for  virtue,  wif- 
dom,  and  liberty.  I  will  powerfully  oppofe  fuper- 
*'  ftition,  llander,  and  de fpotifm  -,  fo  that,  like  a  true 
"  fon  of  the  Order,  I  may  ferve  the  world.  1  will 
"  never  facrificc  the  general  good,  and  the  happinefs 
**  of  the  world,  to  my  private  intereft.  I  will  boldly 
defend  my  brother  againft  flander,  will  follow  oufi 
the  traces  of  the  pure  and  true  Religion  pointed  out 
to  me  in  my  inftrudions,  and  in  the  dodlrines  of 
Mafonry  j  and  will  faithfully  report  to  my  Su- 
periors the  progrefs  I  make  therein." 
When  he  gets  the  ftroke  which  dubs  him  a  Knight, 
the  Prefcs  fays  to  him,  ''  Now  prove  thyfclf,  by  thy 
"  ability,  equal  to  Kings,  and  never  from  this  time 
"  forward  bow  thy  knee  to  one  who  is,  like  thyfelf  but 
"  a  man." 

N°  IX.  is  an  account  of  the  Love-Feafl. 
ijt.  There  is  a  Table  Lodge,  opened  as  ufual,  but 
in  virtue  of  the  ancient  Mailer- word.  Then  it  is  faid, 
''  Let  moderation,  fortitude,  morality,  and  genuine 
"  love  of  the  Brethren,  with  the  overflowing  of  inno- 
"  cent  and  carelefs  mirth  reign  here."  (This  is  almofb 
verbatim  from  Toland.) 

2d,  In  the  middle  of  a  bye-table  is  a  chalice,  a  pot 
of  wine,  an  empty  plate,  and  a  plate  of  unleavened 
bread — All  is  covered  with  a  green  cloth.  » 

3  3d}  When 


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IjS  THE   ILLUMFN'ATI.  GHAP.    tt. 

3^,  When  the  Table  Lodije  is  ended,  and  the  Pre- 
fcdc  fees  no  obftacle,  I;e  ftrik^s  on  this  bye-cable  the 
flroke  of  Scotch  Mailer,  and  his  fignal  is  repeated  by 
the  Senior  Warden.  All  are  dill  and  filent.  The 
Prefect  lifts  off  the  cloth. 

4//.%  The  Prefe6l  alks,  whether  the  Knights  are  in 
the  difpofition  to  partake  of  the  Love-Fealt  in  earnefl:, 
peace,  and  contentment.  If  none  hefitates  or  offers  to 
retire,  he  takes  the  plate  with  the  bread  and  fays, 
"  J.  of  N.  our  Grand-Mailer,  in  the  night  in  which 
he  was  betrayed  by  his  friends,  perfecuted  for  his 
love  for  truth,  imprifoned,  and  condemned  to  die, 
aiTembled  his  trufty  Brethren,  to  celebrate  his  lall" 
Love-Feall — which  is  fignified  to  us  in  many  ways. 
He  took  bread  (taking  it)  and  broke  it  (breaking 
it)  and  bleffed  it,  and  gave  it  to  his  difciples,  &:c, 
— This  fliall  be  the  mark  of  our  Holy  Union,  &c. 
Let  each  of  you  examine  his  heart,  whether  love 
reigns  in  it,  and  whether  he,  in  full  imitation  of  our 
Grand-M after,  is  ready  to  lay  down  his  life  for  his 
Brethren.- 

"  Thanks  be  to  our  Grand-Mailer,  who  has  ap- 
pointed this  feaft  as  a  memorial  of  his  kindnefs,  for 
the  uniting  of  the  hearts  of  thofe  who  love  him. — 
Go  in  peace,  and  bleffed  be  this  new  Affociation 
which  we  have  formed. — Bleffed  be  ye  who  remain 
loyal  and  ftrive  for  the, good  caufc." 
^fhy  The  Prefe6t  immediatelf  doles  the  Chapter 
with  the  ufual  ceremonies  of  the  Lege  de  Table. 

Gthy  It  is  to  be  obferved,  that  no  priell  of  the  Order 
mull  be  prefent  at  this  Love-Feall,  and  that  even  the 
Brother  Servitor  quits  the  Lodge. 

I  mull  obferve  here,  that  Philo,  the  manufadlurer 
of  this  ritual,  has  done  it  very  injudicioufly  ;  it  has  no 
r^cmblance  whatever  to  the  Love-Feaft  of  the  primi- 
tive Chrillians,  and  is  merely  a  copy  of  a  fimilar  thing 

in 


CHAP.  II.  THE    ILLUMINATI.  I39 

in  one  of  the  ftcps  of  French  Mafonry.  Philo's  read- 
ing in  church-hiftory  was  probably  very  fcanty,  or  he 
trufted  that  the  candidates  would  not  be  very  nice  in 
their  examination  of  it,  and  he  imagined  that  it  would 
do  well  enough,  and  "  tickle  fuch  as  had  a  religious 
"  hankering."  Spartacus  diiliked  it  exceedingly- — it 
did  not  accord  with  his  ferious  conceptions,  and  he 
juftly  calls  it  Joiier  la  Religion. 

The  difcourfe  of  reception  is  to  be  f.^und  alfo  in  the 
fecret  correfpondence  ( NachtragW.  Ahtheiiung,  p.  44.). 
But  it  is  needlefs  to  infert  it  here.  I  have  given  the 
fubllance  of  this  and  of  all  the  Cofmo-political  decla- 
madons  already  in  the  panegeric  introduction  to  the 
account  of  the  procefs  of  education.  And  in  Sparta- 
Gus's  letter,  and  in  Philo's,  I  have  given  an  abflrad  of 
the  introduction  to  the  explanation  given  in  this  degree 
of  the  fymbols  of  Free  Mafonry.  Vv'ith  refpecSt  to  the 
explanation  itfelf,  it  is  as  flovenly  and  wretched  as  can 
be  imagined,  and  fhews  that  Spartacus  trufted  to  much 
more  operative  principles  in  the  human  heart  for  the 
reception  of  his  nonfenfe  than  the  diftates  of  unbiafTed 
reafon.  None  but  promifing  fubjefts  were  admitted 
thus  far-'— fuch  as  would  not  boggle ;  and  their  princi- 
ples were  already  fufficiently  apparent  to  afilire  him 
that  they  would  be  contented  with  any  thing  that  made 
game  of  religion,  and  would  be  diverted  by  the  feri- 
oufnefs  which  a  chance  devotee  might  exhibit  during 
thefe  filly  caricatures  of  Chriftianity  and  Free  Mafonry. 
But  there  is  confiderable  addrefs  in  the  way  that  Spar- 
tacus prepares  his  pupils  for  having  all  this  mummery 
fhewn  in  its  true  colours,  and  oveiturned, 

"  Examine,  read,  think  on  thtfe  fymbols,  Therf 
'^  are  many  things  which  one  cannot  find  out  without 
*'  a  guide,  nor  even  learn  without  inftruftion.  They 
"  require  ftudy  and  zeal.  Should  you  in  any  future 
^-   period  think  that  you  h4ve  conceived  a  clearer  no- 

''  tion 


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140  THE    ILLUMINATI.  OHAP.    II, 

"  tion  of  theni)  that  you  have  found  a  paved  road, 
"  declare  your  difcoveries  to  your  Superiors;  it  js 
"  thus  that  you  improve  your  mind;  they  expe6t  this 
'^  of  you  ;  they  know  the  true  path — but  will  not  point 
"  it  out — enough  if  they  adift  you  in  every  approach 
*'  to  it,  and  warn  you  when  you  recede  from  it.  They 
have,  even  put  things  in  your  v/ay  to  try  your  powers 
of  leading  yourfelf  through  the  difficult  track  ofdif- 
rovery.  In  this  proccfs  the  weak  head  finds  only 
child's  play — -the  initiated  finds  objects  of  thought 
which  language  cannot  exprefs,  and  the  thinking 
mind  finds  food  for  his  faculties."  By  fuch  fore- 
warnings  as  thefe  Weifhaupt  leaves  room  for  any  de- 
viation, for  any  fentiment  or  opinion  of  the  individual 
that  he  may  afterwards  choofe  to  encourage,  and  "  to 
"  whifper  in  their  ear  (as  he  exprefies  it)  many  things 
*'^  which  he  did  not  find  it  prudent  to  infcrt  in  aprint- 
"  ed  compend." 

But  all  the  principles  and  aim  of  Spartacus  and  of 
his  Order  are  mod  diftindlly  feen  in  the  third  or  Myf- 
fery  Clafs,  I  proceed  therefore  to  give  fome  account 
of  it.  By  the  Table  it  appears  to  have  two  degrees, 
the  LeiTer  and  the  Greater  Myileries,  each  of  which 
have  two  departments,  one  relating  chiefly  to  Religion 
and  the  other  to  Politics. 

The  Pricft's  degree  contains,  i.  an  Introdu6lion. 
.2.  Further  Accounts  of  the  Reception  into  this  degree. 
3.  What  is  called  Inftruction  in  the  Third  Chamber, 
which  the  candidate  mull  read  over.  4.  The  Ritual 
of  Reception.  5.  Inlhuilion  for  the  Firft  Degree  of 
the  Prieil's  Clafs,  called  Irijiniolio  in  Scientijkis,  6. 
Account  of  the  Confecration  of  a  Dean,  the  Superior 
of  this  Lower  Order  of  Pricits. 

The  Regent  degree  contains,  i.  Direcflions  to  the 
Provincial  concerning  the  difpenfation  of  this  degree. 
2.  Ritual  of  Reception.     3.  Syllem  of  Diredion  for 

the 


CHAP.  It.  THE    ILLUMiNAtt.  l4i 

the  whole  Order.  4.  Inftrudlion  for  the  whole  Regent 
degree.  5.  Inftru6tion  for  the  Prefefts  or  Local  Su- 
periors.    6.  Inftruftion  for  the  Provincials. 

The  moft  remarkable  thing  in  the  Prieft's  degree 
is  the  I[i{tru6lion  in  the  Third  Chamber.  It  is  to  be 
found  in  the  private  correfpondence  (Nachtrage  Origi- 
nal Schriften  1787,  2d.  Abtbeilungy  page  44.).  There 
it  has  the  title  Difcourfe  to  the  Illuminati  DirigenteSy  or 
Scotch  Knights.  In  the  critical  hiftory,  which  is  an- 
nexed to  the  Neuejie  Arbeit ungy  there  is  an  account 
given  of  the  reafon  for  this  denomination;  and  notice 
is  taken  of  fome  differences  betviT-een  the  inftrudlions 
here  contained  and  that  difcourfe. 

This  inrtruclion  begins  with  fore  complaints  of  the 
low  condition  of  the  human  race;  and  the  caufes  are 
deduced  from  religion  and  Rate-government.  **  Men 
*'  originally  led  a  patriarchal  life,  in  which  every  fa- 
"  ther  of  a  family  was  the  lole  lord  of  his  houfe  and 
his  property,  while  he  himfclf  polTefTed  general  free- 
dom and  equality.  But  they  fuffered  themfelves  to 
be  opprefied — gave  themfelves  up  to  civil  focieties, 
'^  and  formed  ftaccs.  Even  by  this  they  fell;  and  this 
*'  is  the  fall  of  manj  by  which  they  were  thruft  into 
*'  unfpeakable  mifery.  To  get  out  of  this  Hate,  to 
"  be  freed  and  born  again,  there  is  no  other  mean 
**  than  the  ufe  of  pure  Reafon,  by  which  a  general 
"  morality  may  be  eftablifhed,  which  will  put  man  in 
*'  a  condition  to  govern  himfelf,  regain  his  original 
"  worth,  and  difpenfe  with  all  political  fupports,  and 
''  and  particularly  with  rulers.  This  can  be  done  in 
"  no  other  way  but  by  fecret  affociations,  which  will 
"  by  degrees,  and  in  Iilence,  polfcfb  themfelves  of  the 
''  government  of  the  States,  and  make  ufe  of  thofe 
*'  means  for  this  pmpofe  which  the  wicked  ufe  for  at- 
^'  attaining  their  b.-ife  ends.  Princes  and  Priefts  are 
*'  in  particular,  and  hit'  exochen   the   wicked,    whofc 

**  hands 


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J42  THE    ILLUMINATI.  CHAP.  II. 

» 

*'  hands  we  ;iiiift  tie  up  by  means  of  thefc  aflbciations, 

"  if  we  cannot  root  them  out  altogether. 

"  Kings  are  parents.     The  paternal  power  ceales 

'^  with  the  incapacity  of  the  child ;  and  the  father  in- 

•*  jures  his  child,   if  he  pretends  to  retain  his  right  be- 
yond this  period.     When  a  nation  comes  of  age, 
their  ftate  of  wardfhip  is  at  an  end." 
Here  follows  a  long  declamation  againft  patriotifm, 

as  a   narrow-minded  principle  when  compared  with 

true  Cofmo-polirifm.  Nobles  are  reprefented  as  "  a 
race  of  men  that  ferve  not  the  nation  but  the  Prince, 
whom  a  hint  from  the  Sovereign  ftirs  up  againfl  the 

*'  nation,  who  are  retained  fervants  and  miniflers  of 
defpotifm,  and  the  mean  for  opprelTing  national  li- 
berty. Kings  are  accufed  of  a  tacit  convention, 
under  the  flattering  appellation  of  the  balance  of 

''  power,  to  keep  nations  in  fubjedlion. 

'^  The  means  to  regain  Reafon  her  rights — to  raife 

**  liberty  from  its  afhes — to  reftore  to  man  his  original 
rights — to  produce  the  previous  revolution  in  the 
mind  of  man — to  obtain  an  eternal  victory  over  op- 
prefTors — and  to  work  the  redemption  of  mankind, 
are  fecret  fchools  of  wifdom.  When  the  worthy 
have  flrengthcned  their  aflbciation  by  numbers,  they 
are  fecure,  and  then  they  begin  to  become  power- 
ful, and  terrible  to  the  wicked,  of  whom  many  will, 
for  hftzy,  amend  themielves — many  will  come  over 
to  our  party,  and  we  fi^all  bind  the  hnnds  of  the  reft, 
and  finally  conquer  them.  Whoever  fpreads  gene- 
ral Illumination,  augments  mutual  fecurityj  Illu- 
mination and  fecurity  make  princes  unnecefTaryj 
Illumination  performs  this  by  creating  an  cffeftive 
Morality,  and  Morality  makes  a  nation  of  full  age 
fit  to  govern  itfelfj  and  fince  it  is  not  impofTibJe  to 
produce  a  juft  Morality,  it  is  pofllble  to  regain  free^ 
dom  for  thp  world." 

«  Wc 


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CHAT.  II.  THE    ILLUMINATI.  I43 

"  We  muft  therefore  ftrengthen  our  band,  and  efta- 
*'  blifh  a  legion,  which  Ihall  reflore  the  rights  of  man, 
*^  original  liberty  and  independence. 

«'  Jefus  Chrift"— but  I  am  fick  of  all  this.  The  fol- 
lowing queftions  are  put  to  the  candidate  : 

1.  "Are  our  civil  conditions  in  the  world  the  defti- 
**  nations  that  feem  to  be  the  end  of  our  nature,  or  th€ 

purpofcs  for  which  man  was  placed  on  this  earth, 
or  are  they  not  ?  Do  ftates,  civil  obligations,  popu- 
lar religion,  fulfil  the  intentions  of  men  who  eftablifh- 

"  ed  them  ?  Do  fecret  affociations  promote  inftruc- 
tion  and  true  human  happinefs,  or  are  they  the 
children  of  ncceflity,  of  the  multifarious  wants,  of 

"  unnatural  conditions,  or  the  inventions  of  vain  and 

"  cunning  men  ?" 

2.  "  What  civil  aflbciation,  what  fcience  do  you 
think  to  the  purpofe,  and  what  are  not  ?" 

3.  "^  Has  there  ever  been  any  other  in  the  world,  is 
there  no  other  more  fimple  condition,  and  what  do 
you  think  of  it  r" 

4.  "  Does  it  appear  polTible,  after  having  gone 
**  through  all  the  nonentities  of  cur  civil  conftitutions, 
*'  to  recover  for  once  our  firft  fimplicity,  and  get 
*'  back  to  this  honourable  uniformity  ?" 

5.  *'  How  can  one  begin  this  noble  attempt;  by 
*'  means  of  open  fupport,  by  forcible  revolution,  or 
"  by  what  other  way  ?" 

6.  "  Does  Chriftianity  give  us  any  hint  to  this  pur- 
"  pofe  ?  Does  it  notrecognife  fuch  a  blefied  condition 
"  as  once  the  lot  of  man,  and  as  ftill  recoverable  ?" 

7.  '*  But  is  this  holy  religion  the  religion  that  is 
"  now  profefied  by  any  fed  on  earth,  or  is  it  a  bet- 
*^  ter?" 

8.  "  Can  we  learn  thij^tligion — can  the  world,  as 
*^  it  is,  bear  the  light  ?  Do  you  think  that  it  would  be 
*<  of  fervice,  before  numerous  obftaclcs  are  removed, 

"  if 


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if  we  taught  men  this  purified  religion,  fublime  phi- 

lofophy,  and  the  art  of  governing  themfelvcs  ?  Or* 

would  not  this  hurt,  by  roufing  the  interefted  pafli- 

ons  of  men  habituated  to  prejudices,  who  would  op- 

pofe  this  as  wicked  ?" 

y.   "  May  it  not  be  more  advifable  to  do  away  the{e 

"  corruptions  by  little   and    little,  in  filence,  and  for 

"  this  purpofe  to  propagate   thefe   falutary  and  heart- 

*'  confoling  do6lrines  in  fecret  ?" 

lo.  "  Do  we  not  perceive  traces  of  fuch  a  fecrec 
do61:rine  in  the  ancient  fchools  of  philofophy,  in  the 
*'  dodbrines  and  inflruftions  of  the  Bible,  which  Chrifl,^ 
the  Redeemer  and  Deliverer  of  the  human  race, 
gave  to  his  trufty  difciples  ? — Do  you  not  obfervc 
an  education,  proceeding  by  fteps  of  this  kind,  hand- 
"  ed  down  to  us  from  his  time  till  the  prefent  ?" 

In  the  ceremonial  of  Reception,  crowns  and  fceptres 
^re  reprefented  as  tokens  of  human  degradation.  "The 
"  plan  of  operation,  by  which  our  higher  degrees  acft, 
**  muft  work  powerfully  on  the  world,  and  muft;  give 
*'  another  turn  to  all  our  prefent  conftitutions." 

Many  other  queftio as  are  put  to  the  pupil  during  his 
preparation,  and  his  anfwers  are  given  in  writing. 
Some  of  thefe  refcripts  are  to  be  found  in  the  lecrec 
correfpondence.  Thus,  "  How  far  is  the  pofition  true, 
^'  that  all  thofe  means  may  be  ufed  for  a  good  purpofe 
"  which  the  wicked  have  employed  for  a  bad  ?"  And 
along  with  this  queftion  there  is  an  injunction  to  take 
counfel  from  the  opinions  andconducft  of  the  learned  and 
wordiy  out  of  the  fociety.  In  one  of  the  anfwers,  the  ex- 
ample of  a  great  philofopher  and  Cofmopoiite  is  adduced, 
who  betrayed  a  privace  correfpondence  entrulled  to 
him,  for  the  fervice  of  freedom  :  the  cafe  was  Dodlor 
Franklin's.  In  another,  the^ower  of  the  Order  was 
extended  to  the  putting  the  mdividual  to  death  ;  and 
the  rtafon  given  was,  that,"  this  power  was  allowed 

"  to 


CHAP.    ir.  THE    ILLUMINATI.  145^ 

"  to  all  Sovereignties,  for  the  good  of  the  S:ate,  and 
"  therefore  belonged  to  the  Order,  which  w,.s  to  go- 

*'  vern  the  world." "  N.  B.  We  muP:  acquire  the 

*'  direftion  of  education — of  church-management — of 
"  the  profefforial  chair,  and  of  the  pulpit.  We  mull 
"  bring  our  opinions  into  falhion  by  every  art — fpread 
*'  them  among  the  people  by  the  help  of  young  vvri- 
"  ters.  We  muft  preach  the  warmcft  concern  for  hu- 
"  manity,  and  make  people  indifferent  to  ail  other  -relations^ 
We  muft  take  care  that  our  writers  be  well  puffed, 
and  that  the  Reviewers  do  not  depreciate  them  ; 
therefore  we  muft  endeavour  by  every  mean  to  gain 
over  the  Reviewers  and  Journalifts  ;  and  we  mull 
alio  try  to  gain  the  bookfellers,  who  in  time  wi]l  fee 
^'  that  it  is  their  intereft  to  fide  with  us."  -*"** 

I  conclude  this  account  of  the  degree  of  Prefbyter 
with  remarking,  that  there  were  two  copies  of  it  em- 
ployed occafionally.  In  one  of  them  all  the  mcft  of- 
fenfive  things  in  refpeft  of  church  and  ftate  were  left 
out.  The  fame  thing  v/as  done  in  the  degree  of  Che- 
valier du  Soleil  of  the  French  Mafonry.  I  have  fecn 
three  diiferent  forms. 

In  the  Regent  degree,  the  proceedings  and  inftruc- 
tions  are  condufted  in  the  fame  manner.  Here,  it  is 
faid,  *'  We  muft  as  much  as  poftible  feledt  for  this  dc- 
"  gree  perfons  who  are  free,  independent  of  all  princes  j 
'^  particularly  fuch  as  have  frequently  declared  them- 
"  felves  difcontented  with  the  ufual  inftitutions,  and 
"  their  wifhes  to  fee  a  better  government  eftabliihed." 
Catching  queftions  are  put  to  the  candidate  for  this 
degree ;  fuch  as, 

I.  "  Would  the  fociety  be  objeflionable  which 
"  lliould  (till  the  greater  revolution  of  nature  Ihoiild 
"  be  ripe)  put  monarchs  and  rulers  out  of  the  condi- 
"  tion  to  do  harm  ;  which  fliould  in  filence  prevent 
"  the  abufe  of  power,   by  furrounding  the  great  with 

'T  "  its 


1.  *' 

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146  THE    ILLUMINATI.  CHAF.   II  . 

"  its  members,  and  thus  not  only  prevent  their  doing 
"  mifchief,  but  even  make  them  do  good  ?" 

Is  not  the  objcftion  unjull.  That  fuch  a  Soci- 
ciety  may  abufe  its  power  ?  Do  not  our  rulers  fre- 
quently abufe  their  power,  though  we  are  filent  ? 
This  power  is  hot  fo  fecurc  as  in  the  hands  of  our 
Members,  whom  we  train  up  with  fo  much  care, 
and  place  about  princes  after  mature  deliberation 
"  and  choice.  If  any  government  can  be  harmlefs 
which  is  erefted  by  man,  furely  it  muft  be  ours, 
*^  which  is  founded  on  morality,  forefight,  talents,  li- 
"  berty,  and  virtue,"  Sec. 

The  candidate  is  prefented  for  reception  in  the  cha- 
ra6ler  of  a  flave  ;  and  it  is  demanded  of  him  what  has 
brought  him  into  this  moft  miferable  of  all  conditions. 
He  anfwers — Socicty-^ — the  State — Submiflivenefs — 
Falfe  Religion.  A  fI>:eleton  is  pointed  out  to  him,  at 
the  feet  of  which  are  laid  a  Crown  and  a  Sword.  He 
is  aflced,  whether  that  is  the  llccleton  of  a  King,  a  No- 
bleman, or  a  Beggar?  As  he  cannot  decide,  the  Pre- 
fident  of  the  meeting  fays  to  him,  *^  the  charafter  of 
^'^  being  a  Man  is  the  only  one  that  is  of  importance." 
In  a  long  declamation  on  the  hackneyed  topics,  we 
have  here  and  there  fome  thoughts  which  have  not  yet 
come   before  us. 

*'  We  muft  allow  the  underlings  to  imagine,  (but 
"  without  telling  them  the  truth,)  that  we  direct  ail 
*''  the  Free  Mafon  Lodges,  and  even  all  other  Orders, 
"  and  that  the  greateft  monarchs  are  under  our  guid- 
'^  ance,  which  indeed  is  here  and  there  the  cafe. 

**  There  is  no  way  of  influencing  men  fo  powerful- 
''  ly  as  by  means  of  the  women.  Thefe  fbould  therc- 
"  fore  be  our  chief  ftudy ;  we  fliould  infinuate  our- 
felves  into  their  good  opinion,  give  them  hints  of 
emancipation  from  the  tyranny  of  public  opinion, 
f'  and  of  ftanding  up  for  thcmilelves;  it  will  be  an  im- 

"  mcnfe 


IC 


CHAP.   II.  THE    ILLUMINATI.  I47 

4 

*'  mcnfe  relief  to  their  enOaved  minds  to  be  freed  from 
"  any  one  bond  of  refiraint,  and  it  will  fire  them  the 
"  more,  ana  caufe  them  to  work  for  us  with  zcaJ, 
"  without  knowing  that  they  do  fo  ;  for  they  will  only 
"  be  indulging  their  own  defire  of  pcrfonal  admira- 
"  tion. 

**  We  muft  win  the  common  people  in  every  cor- 
"  ner.  This  will  be  obtained  chiefly  by  means  of  the 
"  fchools,  and  by  open,  hearty  behaviour,  ihov/,  con- 
"  defcenfion,  popularity,  and  toleration  of  their  pre- 
judices, which  wc  iliall  ac  leifure  root  out  and  difpel. 
If  a  writer  publifhes  any  thing  that  attracts  notice, 
"  and  is  in  itfelf  juft,  but  does  not  accord  with  our 
"  plan,  we  muft  endeavour  to  win  him  over,  or  decry 
«  him. 

"  A  chief  objeft  of  our  care  muft  be  to  keep  down 
*•  that  fiavifli  veneration  for  princes  which  fo  much 
''  difgraces  all  nations.  Even  in  the. /oi-di/an^  free  En- 
gland, the  filly  Monarch  fays.  We  are  gracioully 
pleafed,  and  the  more  fimple  people  fay.  Amen.  Thefe 
men,  commonly  very  weak  heads,  are  only  the  far- 
ther corrupted  by  this  fervilc  flattery.  But  let  us  ac 
"  once  give  an  example  of  our  fpirit  by  our  behaviour 
"  with  Princes ;  we  muft  avoid  all  familiarity — never 
entruft  ourfelves  to  them — behave  with  precifion, 
but  with  civility,  as  to  other  m.en — fpeak  of  them 
on  an  equal  footing — this  will  in  time  teach  them 
that  they  are  by  nature  men,  if  they  have  fcnfe  and 
fpirit,  and  that  only  by  convention  they  'are  Lords. 
We  m.uft  afTiduoufly  colle6l  anecdotes,  and  the  ho- 
"  nourable  and  mean  actions,  both  of  the  leaft  and 
"  the  greatefti  and  when  their  names  occur  in  any  re- 
"  cords  which  arc  read  in  our  meetings,  let  them 
''  ever  be  accompanied  by  thefe  marks  of  their  real 
*^  worth. 

'-  The 


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I 


I4S  THE    ILLVMINATI.  CHAP.    t1. 

"  The  great  ftreno;th  ofour  Order  lies  in  its  conceal- 
*'  mentj  let  it  never  appear  in  anyplace  in  its  oWn 
'*  name,  but  always  covered  by  another  name,  and 
*'  another  occupation.  None  is  Jitfer  than  the  threg  lower 
"  degrees  of  Free  Alafcnry  ;  the  public  is  cccuftomed  to  it; 
*'  expeois  little  from  it,  and  therefore  takes  little  notice  of  it. 
"  Next  to  this  the  form  of  a  learned  or  literary  fociety 
"  is  bcft  fuited  to  our  purpofe,  and  had  Free  Mafonry 
"  not  exiiled,  this  cover  would  have  been  employed  i 
"  and  it  may  be  much  more  than  a  cover,  it  may  be  a 
"  powerful  engine  in  our  hands.  By  efiablifmng  reading 
*^  focietieSy  andjuhfcripticn  libraries,  and  taking  thefe  under 
"  cur  dire^ion,  andjupplying  them  through  our  labours,  we 
*'  may  turn  the  public  mind  which  way  we  will. 

"  In  like  manner  we  mufl:  try  to  obtain  an  influence 
*'  in  the  military  academies,  (this  may  be  of  mighty 
"  conlequence,)  theprinting-houfes,  bookiellers  ihops, 
"  chapters,  and  in  ihort  in  all  offices  which  have  any 
*<  eifed,  either  in  forming,  or  in  managing,  or  even 
"  in  direding  the  mind  of  man:  painting  and  engrav- 
*'  ing  are  highly  worth  our  care*." 

"  Could  our  Prefed"  (obferve  it  is  to  the  Illuminati 
Regentes  he  is  fpeaking,  v/hofe  officers  are  Prefeofi) 
''  fiii  the  iud-icatories  of  a  (late  with  our  worthy  mem- 
*'  bcrs,  he  does  all  that  man  can  do  for  the  Order.  It 
'*  is  better  than  to  gain  the  Prince  himfelf.     Princes 

jhould  never  get  beyond   the    Scotch   knighthood. 

They  either  never  profecute  any  thing,  or  they  twiit 

every  thing  to  their  own  advantage. 

A  Literary  Society  is  the  moll  proper  form  for 
'^  the  introduction  of  our  Order  into  any  ftatc  where 
"  we  arc  yet  ftrangers."     (Mark  this!) 

"  The 

*  (They  were  ftrongly  fufpofled  of  having  publifhed  fome  fcan- 
dalous  caricatures,  aiui  Ibme  very  immoral  prints.)  They  fcrup- 
led  at  no  mean,  however  bafc,  for  corrupting  the  nation.  Mira- 
beau  had  done  the  fame  thing  at  Berlin.  By  political  caricatures 
and  iiX^^ay  prints,  rhcy  corrUi't  cvcnfuch  as  canrio:  read. 


<c 


CHAP.    II.  THE    1J,LUMINATI.  149^ 

"  The  power  of  the  Order  muft  furely  be  turned  to 
"  the  advantage  of  its  Members.  All  mufVbe  affifted. 
'*  They  muft  be  preferred  to  aij  pcrfons  otherwife  of 
"  equal  merit.  Monr y,  fervices,  honour,  goods,  and 
"  blood,  muft  be  expended  for  the  fully  proved  Bre- 
"  thren,  and  the  unfortunate  muft  be  relieved  by  the 
"  funds  of  the  Society." 

As  evidence  that  this  was  not  only  their  Inftrudions, 
but  alfo  their  afiiduous  pra6lice,  take  the  following  re- 
port from  the  overfeer  of  Greece  (Bavaria). 


In  Cato's  hand-writing. 

"  The  number  (about  600)  of  Members  relates  to 
**  Bavaria  alone. 

"  In  Munich  there  is  a  well-conftltuted  meeting  of 
"  Illuminati  Major es,  a  meeting  of  excellent ////^/^^m^J/i 
"  Minores^  a.  refpecftable  Grand  Lodge,  and  two  Mi- 
"  nerval  Afiemxblies.  There  is  a  Minerval  Aflembly 
*^  at  Freyfiing,  at  Landfbcrg,  at  Burghaufen,  at  Straf- 
"  burg,  at  Ingolftadt,  and  at  laft  at  Regenfburg*. 

"  At  Munich  we  have  bought  a  houfe,  and  by  cle- 
'^  ver  meafures  have  brought  things  fo  far,  that  the 
*'  citizens  take  no  notice  of  it,  and  even  fpeak  of  us 
**  with  cfteem.  We  can  openly  go  to  the  houfe  every 
*'  day,  and  carry  on  the  bufmeis  of  the  Lodge.  This 
^  is  a  great  deal  for  this  city.  In  the  houfe  is  a  good 
mufcum  of  natural  hiftory,  and  apparatus  for  ex- 
periments :  alfo  a  library  which  daily  increafes.  The 
garden  is  well  occupied  by  botanic  fpecimens,  and 
**  the  whole  has  the  appearance  of  a  fociety  of  zealous 
**  naturalifts. 

"  We  get  all  the  literary  journalsc     We  take  care, 
*'  by  well-timed  pieces,  to  make  the  citizens  and  the 

Princes 

*   In  this  fmall  turbulent  city  there  were  eleven  fccret  focietics  of 
Mafons,  Hofycrucians,  Clairvoyants,  &c. 


4( 


ICO  THE    ILLUMINATI.  CHAP.   II. 

*'  Princes  a  little  more  noticed  for  certain  little  flips. 
"  We  oppofe  the  monks  with  all  our  might,  and  with 
*'  great  hiccefs. 

'^  The  Lodge  is  conftituted  entirely  according  to  our 
"  fyflem,  and  has  broken  off  entirely  from  Berlin,  and 
*'  we  have  nearly  finiflied  our  tranlaftions  with  the 
"  Lodges  of  Poland,  and  fhall  have  them  under  our 
"  diretftion. 

"  By  the  adivity  of  our  Brethren,  the  Jefuits  have 
"  been  kept  out  of  all  the  profeflbrial  chairs  at  Ingol- 
*'  ftadt,  and  our  friends  prevail." 

"  The  widow  Duchefs  has  let  up  her  academy  en- 
"  tircly  according  to  our  plan,  and  wc  have  all  the 
"  ProfefTors  in  the  Order.  Five  of  them  are  excellent, 
"  and  the  pupils  will  be  prepared  for  us. 

"  We  have  got  Pylades  put  at  the  head  of  the  Fife, 
"  and  he  has  the  church-money  at  his  difpofal.  By 
"  properly  ufmg  this  money,  we  have   been  enabled 

"  to  put  our  brother 's  houfehold  in  good  order ; 

"  which  he  had  deftroyed  by  going  to  the  Jews.  We 
"  have  fupported  more  Brethren  under  fimilar  misfor- 
"  tunes. 

"  Our  Ghoflly  Brethren  have  been  very  fortunate 
"  this  lad  year,  for  we  have  procured  for  them  fevcral 
"  good  benefices,  parifhes,  tutorihips,  &c. 

"  Through  our  means  Arminius  and  Cortes  have 
'*  gotten  Profefforfhips,  and  many  of  our  younger 
"  Brethren  have  obtained  Burfaries  by  our  help. 

"  We  have  been  very  fucceisful  againft  the  Jefuits, 
"  and  brought  things  to  fuch  a  bearing,  that  their  re- 
«^  venues,  fuch  as  the  Mifiion,  the  Golden  Alms,  the 
*'  Exercifes,  and  the  Converfion  Box,  are  now  under 
"  the  management  of  our  friends.  So  are  alfo  their  con- 
"  cernsin  theuniverfityand  the  German  fchool  founda- 
"  tions.  The  application  of  all  will  be  determined 
'^  prefently,  and  we  have  fix  members  and  four  friends 

"  in 


CHAP.  II.  THE    ILLUMINATI.  I5I     , 

"  in  the  Court.     This  has  coft  our  fenate  fome  nights 
"  want  of  deep. 

"  Two  of  our  beft  youths  have  got  journies  from  the 
"  Court,  and  they  will  go  to  Vienna,  where  they  will 
*^  do  us  great  fervicc. 

"  All  the  German  Schools,  and  the  Benevolent  So- 
"  ciety,  are  at  laft  under  our  direcftion. 

"  We  have  got  feveral  zealous  members  in  thecourts 
"  of  juftice,  and  we  arc  able  to  afford  them  pay,  and 
**  other  good  additions. 

*^  Lately,  we  have  got  pofTefllonof  the  Bartholomew 
"  Inftitution  for  young  clergymen,  having  fecured  all 
"  its  fupporters.  Through  this  we  fliall  be  able  to 
"  fupply  Bavaria  with  fit  priefts. 

<'  By  a  letter  from  Philo  we  learn,  that  one  of  the 
*^  hisheft  dignities  in  the  church  was  obtained  for  a 
"  zealous  Illuminatus,  in  oppofition  even  to  the  au- 
"  thority  and  right  of  the  Bilhop  of  Spire,  who  is  rc- 
"  prefented  as  a  bigoted  and  tyrannical  priefl." 

Such  were  the  lelFer  myfteries  of  the  Illuminati.   But 
there  remain  the  higher  myfteries.  The  fyftem  of  thefe 
has  not  been  printed,  and  the  degrees  were  conferred 
only  by  Spartacus  himfelf,  from  papers  which  he  never 
entrufted  to  any  perfon.     They  were  only  read  to  the 
candidate,  but  no  copy  was  taken.     The  publiflicr    of 
the  Neuejie  Arheitung  fays  that  he  has  read  them  (fo  fays 
Grollman).      He    fays,  *'  that   in    the  firft  degree   of 
"  Magus   or  Philosophus,    the   doctrines  are    the 
"  fame  with  thofe   of  Spinoza,  where  all  is  material, 
"  God  and  the  world  are    the  fame  thing,  and  all  re- 
*'  ligion  whatever  is  without  foundation,  and,  the  con- 
**  trivance   of  ambitious  men."     The  fecond  degree, 
or  Rex,  teaches,  "■  that   every  peafimt,  citizen,  and 
*'  houfeholder   is    a   fovereign,  as  in   the   Patriarchal 
''  ftate,  and  that  nations  muft  be  brought  back  to  that 
*'  ftatc,  by  whatever  means  are   conducible — peace- 

ablv. 


IQl 


THE    ILLUMINATJ. 


CHAP.  II. 


"  ably,  if  it  can  be  done ;  but,  if  not,  then  by  force 
"  — for  all  fubordination  mult  vaniih  from  the  face  of 
"  the  earth." 

The  author  fays  further,  that  the  German  Uniori 
was,  to  his  certain  knowledge,  the  work  of  the  lilu- 
minati. 

The  private  correfpondence  that  has  been  publifhed 
is  by  no  means  the  whole  of  what  was  difcovered  at 
Landfhut  and  Baffiis  Hoft,  and  government  got  a  great 
deal  of  ufeful  information,  which  was  concealed,  both 
out  of  regard  to  the  families  of  the  perfons  concerned, 
and  alfo  that  the  reft  might  not  know  the  utmoft  ex- 
tent of  the  difcovery,  and  be  lefs  on  their  guard.  A 
third  coUeftion  was  found  under  the  foundation  of  the 
houfe  in  which  the  Lodge  Theodor  vom  guten  Rath  had 
been  held.  But  none  of  this  has  appeared.  Enough 
furely  has  been  difcovered  to  give  the  public  a  very 
juft  idea  of  the  dcfigns  of  the  Society  and  its  connec- 
tions. 

Lodges  were  difcovered,  and  are  mentioned  in  the 
private  papers  already  publilhed,  in  the  following 
places. 


Munich 

Ingolftadt 

Frankfort 

Echiladt 

Hanover 

Brunfwick 

Calbe 

Magde  burgh 

Caffel 

Ofnabruck 

Weimar 

Upper  Saxony  (feveral) 

Auftria  (14) 


Wellphalia  (feveial) 

Lleidelberg 

Manheim 

Strafburgh  (5) 

Spire 

Worms 

DufTeldorff 

Cologne 

Bonn  (4) 

Livonia  (many) 

Courland  (many) 

Frankendahl 

Alface  (many) 


Vienna 


CHAP.  II.  tHE  ILLUMINATE  I53 

Vienna  (4)  Deuxponts 

Hefle  (many)  Coufel 

Buchenwcrter  Treves  (2) 

Mompeliard  Aix-Ia-Chapelle  (2) 
Stutgard  (3)                       '    Bartfchied 

Carlfruhe  Hahrenberg 

Anfpach  Switzerland  (many) 

Neuwied  (2)  Rome 

Mentz  (2)  Naples 

Poland  (many)  Ancona 

Turin  Florence 

England  (8)  France 

Scotland  (1)  Holland  (many) 

Warfaw  (2)  Drefden  (4) 
America  (feveral.)    N.  B.  This  was  before  1786. 

I  have  picked  up  the  names  of  the  following  mem- 
bers. 

Spartacus,  Weifhaupt,  Profeflbr. 

Philo,  Knigge,    Freyherr,    i.   e. 

Gentleman. 
Amelius,  Bode,  F.  H. 

Bayard,  Bufche,  F.  H. 

Diomedes,  Conftanza,  Marq. 

Gato,  Zwack,  Lawyer. 

Torring,  Count. 

Khreitmaier,  Prince. 

Utfchneider,  Profeffor. 

Cofiandey,  Profeflbr. 

Renner,  Profeflbr. 

Grunberger,  Profeflbr. 

Balderbufch,  F.  H. 

Lippert,  Counfellor. 

Kundl,  ditto. 

Bart,  ditto. 
U  Leiberhauer, 


154 


THE  ILLUMINTATI. 


dHAP.  II. 


Pythagoras, 


Hannibal, 

Brutus, 

Lucian, 

Zoroafter,  Confucius, 
Hermes  Trifmegiftus, 

Sulla, 


Pythagoras,  (ad,) 
Marius, 


Saladin, 


Leiberhauer,  Prieft. 
Kundler,  ProfefTor. 
Lowling,  Profeflbr. 
Vachency,  Counfellor. 
Morauflcy,  Count. 
Hoffftettcr,    Surveyor  of 

Roads. 
Strobl,  Bookfeller. 
Weftenrieder,  ProfefTor. 
Babo,  Profeflbr. 
Baader,  ProfeflTor. 
Burzes,  Prieft. 
Pfruntz,  Prieft. 
BaflTus,  Baron. 
Savioli,   Count. 
Nicholai,  Bookfeller. 
Bahrdt,  Clergyman. 
Baierhamer. 

Socher,  School  Infpedor. 
Dillis,  Abbe. 
MeggenhofF,  Paymafter. 
Danzer,  Canon. 
Braun,  ditto. 
Fifcher,  Magiftrate. 
Frauenberger,  Baron. 
Kaltner,  Lieutenant. 
Drexl,  Librarian. 
Hertel,  Canon. 
Dachfel. 

Billing,  Counfellor. 
Seefeld,  CouMf. 
Gunftieim,  ditto. 
Morgellan,  ditto. 
Ecker,  ditto. 
Ow,  Major. 
Werner,  Counfellor. 

Cornelius, 


«HA-P.  II. 


THE    ILLUMINATI. 


'S5 


Cornelius  Scipio^ 


Tycho  Brahe, 

Thales, 

Atcila, 

Ludovicus  BavariiSj 

Shafcefbury, 

CorioJanus, 

Timon, 

Tamerlane, 

Liviiis, 

Cicero, 

Ajax, 


Berger,  Coiinfellor. 

Wortz,  Apothecary. 

Mauvillon,  Colonel. 

Mirabeau,  Count. 

Orleans,  Duke. 

Hochinaer. 

Gafpar,  Merchant. 

Kapfinger. 

Sauer. 

Lofi. 

Steger. 

Tropponero,  Zufchwartz. 

Michel 

Lange. 

BadorfFer. 

Pfeft. 

Maflenhaufen,  Count. 


I  have  not  been  able  to  find  who  perfonatcd  Minos, 
Euriphon,  Celfius,  Mahomet,  Hercules,  Socrates, 
Philippo  Strozzi,  Euclides,  and  fome  others  who  have 
been  uncommonly  active  in  carrying  forward  the  great 
caufe. 

The  chief  publications  for  giving  us  regular  accounts 
of  the  whole,   (befidcs  the  original  writings,)  are, 

I .   Grojfe  Ahjicht  des  IlluminaUn  Or  dens. 

1.  < — - —  Nachtrages  (3.)  an  denjelhen. 

3.  Weifoau-pt^s  improved  Syji em. 

4.  Syjiem  des  Ilium.     Or  dens  aus  dem  Original -fchrif ten 
gezogen. 

I  may  nov/  be  permitted  to  make  a  few  refledlions 
on  the  accounts  already  given  of  this  Order,  which  has 
fo  diftin6lly  concentrated  the  calual  and  fcattered  ef- 
forts of  its  prompters,  the  Chevaliers  Bienfaijanis^  the 
Philalethes^  and  Amis  Rennis  of  France,  and  carried  on 
the  fyftem  of  enlightening  and  reforming  the  world. 

Th? 


156  THE    ILLUMINATI.  CHAP.  II. 

The  great  aim  profeffed  by  the  Order  is  to  make  men 
happy;  and  the  means  profeffed  to  be  employed,  .as 
the  only  and  furely  effective,  is  making  them  good ;  and 
this  is  to  be  brought  about  by  enlightening  the  mind^  and 
freeing  it  from  the  dominion  of  fuperjlition  and  prejudices. 
This  purpofe  is  effe6ted  by  its  producing  ajujl  andfteady 
morality.  This  done,  and  becoming  univerfal,  there 
can  be  little  doubt  but  that  the  peace  of  fociety  will  be 
the  confcquence, — that  government,  fubordination, 
and  all  the  difagreeable  coercions  of  civil  governments 
will  be  unneccffary, — and  that  fociety  may  go  on 
peaceably  in  a  flate  of  perfect  liberty  and  equality. 

But  furely  it  requires  no  angel  from  heaven  to  tell 
us  that  if  every  man  is  virtuous,  there  will  be  novice; 
and  that  there  will  be  peace  on  earth,  and  good-will 
between  man  and  man,  whatever  be  the  differences  of 
rank  and  fortune ;  fo  that  Liberty  and  Equality  fcem 
not  to  be  the  neceffary  confequences  of  this  juft  Mora- 
lity, nor  neceffary  requifites  for  this  national  happinefs. 
We  may  qucftion,  therefore,  Vv^hether  the  Illumination 
which  makes  this  a  neceffary  condition  is  a  clear  and 
a  pure  light.  It  may  be  a  falfe  glare  fhowing  the  ob- 
jedt  only  on  one  fide,  tinged  with  partial  colours  thrown 
on  it  by  neighbouring  objects.  We  fee  fo  much  wif- 
dom  in  the  general  plans  of  nature,  that  we  are  apt  to 
think  that  there  is  the  fame  in  what  relates  to  the  hu- 
man mind,  and  that  the  God  of  nature  accomplifnes 
his  plans  in  this  as  well  as  in  other  inftances.  We  are 
even  difpofed  to  think  that  human  nature  would  fuffer 
by  it.  The  rational  nature  of  man  is  not  contented 
with  meat  and  drink,  and  raiment,  and  flielter,  but  is 
alfo  pleafed  with  exerting  many  powers  and  faculties, 
and  with  gratifying  many  taftes,  which  could  hardly 
have  exiftence  in  a  fociety  where  all  are  equal.  We 
fay  that  there  can  be  no  doubt  but  that  the  pleafure 
arifing  from^  the  contemplation  of  the  works  of  art — 

the 


CHAP.  II.  THE    ILLUMlNATl..  1 57 

the  pleafure  of  intclleftual  cultivation,  the  pleafure  of 
mere  ornament,  are  rational,  diftinguifh  man  from  a 
brute,  and  are  fo  general,  that  there  is  hardly  a  mind 
fo  rude  as  not  to  feel  them.  Of  all  thefe,  and  of  all 
the  difficult  fcienccs,  all  mod  rational,  and  in  them- 
felves  moft  innocent,  and  mod  delightful  to  a  culti- 
vated mind,  we  fhould  be  deprived  in  a  fociety  where 
all  are  equal.  No  individual  could  give  employment 
to  the  talents  neceflary  for  creating  and  improving  thefe 
ornamental  comforts  of  life.  We  are  abfolutely  cer- 
tain that,  even  in  the  moft  favourable  fituations  on  the 
face  of  the  earth,  the  mofb  untainted  virtue  in  every 
breaft  could  not  raife  man  to  that  degree  of  cultivation 
that  is  poffcired  by  citizens  very  low  in  any  of  the  dates 
of  Europe  J  and  in  the  fituation  of  mod  countries  we 
are  acquainted  with,  the  date  of  man  would  be  much 
lower:  for,  at  our  very  fctting  out,  we  mud  grant 
that  the  liberty  and  equality  here  fpoken  of  mud  be 
complete  -,  for  there  mud  not  be  fuch  a  thing  as  a  far- 
mer and  his  cottager.  This  v/ould  be  as  unjud,  as 
much  the  caufe  of  difcontent,  as  the  gentleman  and 
the  farmer. 

This  fcheme  therefore  fecms  contrary  to  the  defigns 
of  our  Creator,  who  has  every  where  placed  us  in  thofe 
fituations  of  inequality  that  are  here  fo  much  reproba- 
ted, and  has  given  us  drong  propenfities  by  which  we 
relidi  thofe  enjoyments.  \Ve  alfo  find  that  they  may 
be  enjoyed  in  peace  and  innocence.  And  ladly,  we  ima- 
gine that  the  villain,  who,  in  the  dation  of  a  profefTor, 
would  plunder  a  prince,  would  alfo  plunder  the  farmer  if 
he  were  his  cottager.  The  Illumination  therefore  that 
appears  to  have  the  bed  chance  of  making  mankind  hap- 
py is  that  which  will  teach  us  the  Morality  which  will  re- 
fpeftthe  coiiiforts  of  cultivated  Society,  and  teach  us  to 
protect  the  poffelibrs  in  the  innocent  enjoyment  of  them  ; 
that  will  enable  us  ro  perceive  and  admire  the  tade  and 

elegance 


THE  ILLUMINATI.  CHAP.  II. 

elegance  of  Archited:ure  and  Gardening,  without  any 
wilh  to  iweep  the  palaces,  the  gardens,  and  their  owner, 
from  off  the  earth,  merely  becaufe  he  is  their  owner. 

We  are  therefore  fufpicioiis  of  this  lUumination, 
and  apt  to  afcribe  this  violent  antipathy  to  Princes  and 
fubordination  to  the  very  caufe  that  makes  true  Illumi- 
nation, and  juft  Morality  proceeding  from  it,  fo  ne- 
ceflary  to  public  happinefs,  namely,  the  vice  and  in- 
juftice  of  thofc  who  cannot  innocently  have  the  com- 
mand of  thofe  offenfive  elegancies  of  human  life.  Lux- 
urious tafte,  keen  defires,  and  unbridled  paflions,  would 
prompt  to  all  this;  and  this  Illumination  is,  as  we  fee, 
equivalent  to  them  in  effeft.  The  aim  of  the  Order 
is  not  to  enlighten  the  mind  of  man,  and  fhew  him  his 
moral  obligations,  and  by  the  pra6lice  of  his  duties  to 
make  fociety  peaceable^,  pofTeffion  fccure,  and  coercion 
iinnecelTary,  fo  that  all  may  be  at  reft  and  happy,  even 
though  ail  were  cqucd;  but  to  get  rid  of  the  coercion 
which  muft  be  employed  in  the  place  of  Morality,  that 
the  innocent  rich  may  be  robbed  with  impunity  by  the 
idle  and  profligate  poor.  But  to  do  this,  an  unjuft  ca- 
fuiftry  muft  be  employed  inftead  of  a  juft  Morality  i 
and  this  muft  be  defended  or  fuggefted,  by  mifrepre- 
fentino;  the  true  ftate  of  man,  and  of  his  relation  to  the 
iiniverfe,  and  by  removing  the  reftri6tions  of  religion, 
and  giving  a  fuperlative  value  to  all  thofe  conftituents 
of  human  enjoyment,  which  true  Illumination  ftiews 
■us  to  be  but  very  fmall  concerns  of  a  rational  and  vir- 
tuous mind.  The  more  clofely  we  examine  the  prin- 
ciples and  prafticc  of  the  lUuminati,  the  more  clearly 
do  we  perceive  that  this  is  the  cafe.  Their  firft  and 
immediate  aim  is  to  get  the  pofleffion  of  riches,  power, 
and  influence,  without  induftry  ;  and  to  accomplifn 
this,  they  v/ant  to  abolifn  Chriftianity;  and  then  dif- 
folute  manners  and  univcrfal  profligacy  will  procure 
them  the  adherence  of  all  the  wicked,  and  enable  them 

to 


CHAP.  II.  THE  ILtUMINATI.  I59 

to  overturn  all  the  civil  governments  of  Europe ;  after 
which  they  will  think,  of  farther  conquefts,  and  extend 
their  operations  to  the  other  quarters  of  the  globe,  till 
they  have  reduced  mankind  to  the  ftatc  of.onc  undif- 
tinguifhable  chaotic  mafs. 

But  this  is  too  chimerical  to  be  thought  their  real 
aim.  Their  Founder,  I  dare  fay,  never  entertained 
Ibch  hopes,  nor  troubled  himfelf  with  the  fate  of  diftanc 
lands.  But  it  comes  in  his  way  when  he  puts  on  the 
mafk  of  humanity  and  benevolence:  it  mult  embrace 
all  mankind,  only  becaufe  it  muft  be  ftronger  than  pa- 
triotifm  and  loyalty,  which  ftand  in  his  way.  Obferve 
that  Weifhaupt  took  a  name  expreflive  of  his  .princi- 
ples. Spartacus  was  a  gladiator,  who  headed  an  in- 
furreftion  of  Roman  flaves,  and  for  three  years  kept 
the  city  in  terror.  Weifliaupt  fays  in  one  of  his  let- 
ters, "  I  never  was  fond  of  empty  titles ;  but  furely 
"  that  man  has  a  childifh  foul  who  would  not  as  rea- 
"  dily  chufe  the  name  of  Spartacus  as  that  of  0(5la- 
^'  vius  Auguftus."  The  names  which  he  gives  to  fe- 
veral  of  his  gang  exprefs  their  differences  of  fenti- 
ments.  Philo,  Lucian,  and  others,  are  very  fignifi- 
cantly  given  to  Knigge,  Nicholai,  &c.  He  was  vain 
of  the  name  Spartacus,  becaufe  he  confidered  himfelf 
as  employed  fomewhat  in  the  fame  way,  leading  Haves 
to  freedom.  Princes  and  Priefts  are  mentioned  by  him 
on  all  occafions  in  terms  of  abhorrence. 

Spartacus  employs  powerful  means.  The  (lyle  of 
the  Jefuits,  (as  he  fays,)  he  confiders  every  mean  as 
confecrated  by  the  end  for  which  it  is  employed,  and 
he  fays  with  great  truth, 

"  Fle^irefi  nequeofuperos,  Achercnta  mcveho.'* 

To  fave  his  reputation,  he  fcruples  not  to  murder 
his  innocent  child,  and  the  woman  whom  he  had  held 
in  his  arms  with  emociens  of  fondnefs  and  affcdion. 

But 


(C 
(C 

<c 


l6o  THE  ILLUMINATI.  CHAP.  II. 

But  left  this  fhould  appear  too  fclnfli  a  motive,  he  lays, 
"  Had  I  fallen,  my  precious  Order  would  have  fallen 
"  with  me  -,  the  Order  which  is  to  blefs  mankind.  I 
lliould  not  again  have  been  able  to  fpeak  of  virtue  fo 
as  to  make  any  lafting  impreflion.  My  example 
jnight  have  ruined  many  young  men."  This  he 
thinks  will  excufe,  nay  fan6tify  any  thing.  "  My 
"  letters  are  my  greateft  vindication."  He  employs 
the  Chriftian  Religion,  which  he  thinks  a  falfehood, 
and  which  he  is  afterwards  to  explode,  as  the  mean  for 
invitingChriftians  of  every  denomination,  and  gradually 
cajoling  them,  by  clearing  up  their  Chriftian  doubts  in 
fucceftion,  till  he  lands  them  in  Deifm  ;  or  if  he  finds 
theni  unfit,  and  too  religious,  he  gives  them  a  Stabene, 
and  then  laughs  at  the  fears,  or  perhaps  madnefs,  in 
which  he  leaves  them.  Having  got  them  the  length 
of  Deifm,  they  are  declared  to  be  fit,  and  he  receives 
them  into  the  higher  myfteries.  But  left  they  fhould 
ftill  flirink  back,  dazzled  by  the  Pandemonian  glare  of 
Illumination  which  will  now  burft  upon  them,  he  ex- 
a£ts  from  them,  for  the  firft  time,  a  bond  of  perfc- 
verance.  But,  as  Philo  fays,  there  is  little  chance  of 
tergiverfation.  The  life  and  honour  ofmoftofthe 
candidates  are  by  this  time  in  his  hand.  They  have 
been  long  occupied  in  the  vile  and  corrupting  office  of 
fpies  on  all  around  them,  and  they  are  found  fit  for 
their  prefent  honours,  becaufe  they  have  difcharged 
this  office  to  his  fatisfadlion,  by  the  reports  which  they 
have  given  in,  containing  ftories  of  their  neighbours, 
nay  even  of  their  own  gang.  They  may  be  ruined  in 
the  world  by  difclofing  thefe,  either  privately  or  pub- 
licly. A  man  who  had  once  brought  himfelf  into  this 
perilous  fituation  durft  not  go  back.  He  might  have 
been  left  indeed  in  any  degree  of  Illumination  ;  and,  if 
Religion  has  not  been  quite  eradicated  from  his  mind, 
he  muft  be   in  that  condition  of  painful  anxiety   and 

doubt 


CHAP.   II.  THE  ILLUMINATI.  l6l 

doubt  that  makes  him  defperate,  fit  for  the  full  opera- 
tion of  fanaticifm,  and  he  may  be  engaged,  in  the  cauje 
cf  God^  "  to  commit  all  kind  of  wickednefs  and  greedi- 
*'  nefs."  In  this  ftate  of  mind,  a  man  Iliucs  his  eyes, 
and  rufhes  on.  Had  Spartacus  fuppofed  that  he  was 
dealing  with  good  men,  his  condud:  would  have  been 
the  reverfc  of  all  this.  There  is  no  occafion  for  this 
bond  from  a  perfon  convinced  of  the  excellency  of  the 
Order.  But  he  knew  them  to  be  unprincipled,  and 
that  the  higher  myfteries  were  fo  daring,  that  even  Ibme 
of  fuch  men  would  ftart  at  them.  But  they  mull  not 
blab. 

Having  thus  got  rid  of  Religion,  Spartacus  could 
with  more  fafety  bring  into  view  the  great  aim  of  all  his 
efforts — to  rule  the  world  by  means  of  his  Order.  As 
the  immediate  mean  for  attaining  this,  he  holds  out 
the  prcfpeft  of  freedom  from  civil  fubordination.  Per- 
fe6l  Liberty  and  Equality  are  interwoven  v.'ith  ev^ry 
thing  ;  and  the  flattering  thought  is  continually  kept 
up,  that  *'  by  the  wife  contrivance  of  this  Order,  the 
*'  mod  complrte  knowledge  is  obtained  of  the  real 
*'  worth  of  every  perfon  ;  the  Order  will,  for  its  own 
^^  Jake,  and  therefore  certainly,  place  every  man  in 
*'  that  fituation  in  which  he  can  be  moft  efi^eftive.  The 
**^  pupils  are  convinced  that  the  Order  vfill  rule  the 
•'  world.  Every  member  therefore  becomes  a  ruler." 
We  all  think  ourfelves  qualified  to  rule.  The  difficult 
talk  is  to  obey  with  propriety  j  but  we  are  honellly 
generous  in  our  profpefts  of  future  command.  It  is 
therefore  an  alluring  thought,  both  to  good  and  bad 
men.  By  this  lure  the  Order  will  fprcad.  If  they  are. 
adive  in  infinuating  their  members  into  offices,  and 
in  keeping  out  others,  (which  the  private  corrcfpon- 
dence  ffiews  to  have  been  the  cafe,)  they  may  have  had 
frequent  experience  of  their  fuccefs  in  gaining  an  influ- 
ence on  the  world.     This  muft  whet  their  zeal.     If 

X  Weifhaupt: 


l62  THE   ILLUMINATI.  CWAP.   11. 

Weifhaiipt  was  a  fincere  Cofmo-polite,  he  had 
the  pleafure  of  feeing  ''^  his  work  profpering  in  his 
hands." 

It  furely  needs  little  argument  now  to  prove,  that 
the  Order  of  Illuminaii  had  for  its  immediate  obje6t 
the  abolilliing  of  Chriftianity,  (at  lead  this  was  the  in- 
tention of  the  Founder,)  with  the  fole  view  of  over- 
turning the  civil  government,  by  introducing  univerfal 
diflbiutencfs  and  profligacy  of  manners,  and  then  getting 
the  afiiftance  of  the  corrupted  fubje6cs  to  overfet  the 
throne.  The  whole  conuu(5t  in  the  preparation  and 
inflruftion  of  the  Prefbytcr  and  Regens  is  directed  to 
this  point,  Philo  fays,  "  I  have  been  at  unwearied 
"^  pains  to  remove  the  fears  of  fome  who  imagine  that 
"  our  Superiors  want  to  abolifn  Chriftianity  ;  but  by 
'*  and  by  their  prejudices  will  wear  off,  and  they  will 
"  be  more  at  their  eafe.  Were  I  to  let  them  knovr 
*'  that  our  General  holds  all  Religion  to  be  a  lie,  and 
ufes  even  Dcifm,  only  to  lead  men  by  the  nofe — 
Were  1  to  conned:  myfclf  again  with  the  Free  Ma- 
fons,  and  tell  them  our  defigns  to  ruin  their  Fra- 
ternity by  this  circular  letter  (a  letter  to  the  Lodge 
in  Courland) — Were  J  but  to  give  the  leaft  hint  to 
any  of  the  Princes  of  Greece  (Bavaria) — No,  my 
anger  fnall  not  carry  me  fo  far. — An  Order,  forfooth, 
*'  which  in  this  manner  abufes  h'uman  nature — which 
*^  will  fubjeul  men  to  a  bondage  more  intolerable  than 
*'  Jefuitifm — T  could  put  it  on  a  refpe(5table  footing, 
'*  and  the  world  would  be  ours.  Should  I  mention 
*'  our  fimdamental  principles,  (even  after  all  the  pains 
*'  I  have  been  at  to  mitigate  them,)  io  unqueftionably 
*'  dangerous  to  the  world,  who  would  remain  ?  What 
"  fignifics  the  innocent  ceremonies  of  the  Prieft's  de- 
'*  gree,  ^as  I  have  compofed  it,  in  comparifon  with 
"  your  maxim,  that  we  indy  ufe  for  a  good  end  thofe 
"  means  Vv'hich  the  wicked  employ  for  a  bafe  purpofe  ?" 

Brutus 


C( 

(C 

cc 


cc 


CHAP.   II.  THE     ILLUMINATt.  1 6  j 

Brutus  writes,  "  Numenius  now  acquiefces  in  the 
"  mortality  of  the  foulj  but,  I  fear  we  lliall  lofe  Lu- 
"  dovicus  Bavarus.  He  told  Spartacus,  that  he  was 
''  miftaken  when  he  thought  that  he  had  fwallowrd 
his  ftupid  Mafonry.  No,  he  faw  the  trick,  and  did 
not  admire  the  end  that  required  it.  I  don't  know 
"  what  to  doi  a  Sta  bene  would  make  him  mad,  and 
"  he  will  blow  us  all  up. 

"  The  Order  mud  pofTcfs  the  power  of  life  and 
"  death  in  confequence  of  our  Oath;  and  with  pro- 
priety, for  the  fame  realbn,  and  by  the  fame  right, 
that  any  government  in  the  world  poflcfTes  it :  for 
the  Order  comes  in  their  place,  making  them  un- 
neceflary.  When  things  cannot  be  otherwife,  and 
ruin  would  enfue  if  the  AiTociation  did  not  employ 
this  mean,  the  Order  mull,  as  well  as  public  rulers, 
employ  it  for  the  good  of  mankind ;  therefore  for 
its  own  prefervation."  (N.  B.  Obferve  here  t;-;e 
cafuiftry.)  "  Nor  will  the  political  conftitutions  fuf- 
"  fer  by  this,  for  there  are  always  thoufands  equally 
"  ready  and  able  to  fupply  the  place." 

We  need  not  wonder  that  Diomedes  told  the  Pro- 
feffors,  "  that  death,  inevitable  death,  from  wiiich  no 
*'  potentate  could  prote6t  them,  awaited  every  traitor 
"  of  the  Order;"  nor  that  the  French  Convention 
propofcd  to  take  off  the  German  Princes  and  Generals 
by  fword  or  poifon,  &c. 

Spartacus  might  tickle  the  fancy  of  his  Order  with 
the  notion  of  ruling  the  world;  but  I  imagine  that  his 
own  immediate  objed  was  ruling  the  Order.  The 
happinefs  of  mankind  was,  like  Weifliaupt's  Chrifti- 
anity,  a  mere  tool,  a  tool  which  the  Regmtes  made  a 
joke  of.  But  Spartacus  would  rule  the  Regentes  ;  this 
he  could  not  fo  eafily  accomplifli.  His  dcfpotifm  was 
infupportable  to  mofl  of  them,  and  finally  brought  all 
to  light.     When  he  could  not  pc-rfiiade   thtm  by  his 

own 


(C 

cc 

(C 

<c 
cc 

cc 
€< 

tc 


\64  THE    ILLUMINATI.  CHAP.  II. 

own  fiimnefs,  and  indeed  by  his  fuperior  talents  and 
difintereiledners  in  other  rcfpecls,  and  his  unwearied  ac- 
tivity, he  employed  jefuitical  tricks,  caufing  them  to 
fall  out  with  each  other,  fctting  them  as  fpies  on  each 
other,  and  fcpararing  any  two  that  he  faw  attached  to 
each  other,  by  making  the  one  a  Mafter  of  the  other ; 
and,  in  fhort,  he  left  nothing  undone  that  could  fecure 
his  uncontrolled  command.  This  caufed  Philo  to  quit 
the  Order,  and  made  Bnjfus,  Ton  Torring,  Kreilmaier, 
and  feveral  other  gentlemen,  ceafc  attending  the  meet- 
ings ;  and  it  was  their  mutual  difienfions  which  made 
them  fpeak  too  freely  in  public,  and  call  on  them- 
felves  lb  much  notice.  At  the  time  of  the  difcovery, 
the  party  of  Weifhaupt  confifted  chiefly  of  very  mean 
people,  devoted  to  him,  and  willing  to  execute  his 
orders,  that  by  being  his  fervants,  they  might  have 
the  pleafure  of  commanding  others. 

The  objects,  the  undoubted  objects  of  this  AiToci- 
ation,  are  furely  dangerous  and  deteflable ;  namely, 
to  overturn  the  prefent  conftitutions  of  the  European 
States,  in  order  to  introduce  a  chimera  which  the 
hiftory  of  mankind  fliews  to  be  contrary  to  the  nature 
of  man. 

Ncituram  expellas  furcdy  tamen  ufque  recurret. 

Suppofe  it  poflible,  and  done  in  peace,  the  new  fyftem 
couk\  not  (land  unlefs  every  principle  of  aftivity  in  the 
human  mind  be  enthralled,  all  incitement  to  exertion 
and  induftry  removed,  and  man  brought, into  a  condi- 
tion incapable  of  improvement;  and  this  at  the  cx- 
pence  of  every  thing  that  is  valued  by  the  beft  of  men 
— by  mifery  and  devaftation — by  loofening  all  the 
bands  of  fociety.  To  talk  of  morality  and  virtue  in 
conjunction  with  fuch  fchemes  is  an  infult  to  common 
fenie  ;  diflblutencfs  of  manners  alone  can  bring  men  to 
think  of  it. 

Is 


/ 

CHAP.   II.  THE    IJ.LUMINATI.  165 

Is  it  not  aftonifliing,  therefore,  to  hear  people  in 
this  country  exprefs  any  regard  for  this  inilitution  ?  Is 
it  not  moil  mordfying  to  think  that  there  are  Lodges 
of  Illuminated  among  us?  I  think  that  nothing  bids 
fairer  for  weaning  our  inconfiderate  countrymen  from 
having  any  conncdion  with  them,  than  the  faithful  ac- 
count here  given.  I  hope  that  there  are  few,  very 
few  of  our  countrymen,  and  none  whom  we  call  friend, 
who  can  think  that  an  Order  which  held  fuch  do61:rines, 
and  which  pradlifed  fuch  things,  can  be  any  thing  elfe 
than  a  ruinous  Affociacion,  a  gang  of  profligates.  All 
their  profeffions  of  the  love  of  mankind  are  vain  ;  their 
Illumination  muft  be  a  bewildering  blaze,  and  totally 
incffedtual  for  its  purpofe,  for  it  has  had  no  fuch  influ- 
ence on  the  leaders  of  the  band ;  yet  it  feems  quite 
adequate  to  the  eff'ecls  it  has  produced ;  for  fuch  arc 
the  charafters  of  thofe  who  forget  God. 

If  we  in  the  next  place  attend  to  their  mode  of  edu- 
cation, and  examine  it  by  thofe  rules  of  common  fenfe 
that  we  apply  in  other  cafes  of  conduct,  we  Ihall  find 
it  equally  unpromifing.  The  fyftem  of  Illuminatifm 
is  one  of  the  explanations  of  Free  Mafonry ;  and  it  has 
gained  many  partifans.  Thefc  explanations  reft  their 
credit  and  their  preference  on  their  own  merits.  There 
is  fomething  in  themfelves,  or  in  one  of  them  as  dif- 
tinguifhed  from  another,  which  procures  it  the  prefer- 
ence for  its  own  fake.  Therefore,  to  give  this  Order 
any  dependence  on  Free  Mafonry  is  to  degrade  the 
Order.  To  introduce  a  Mafonic  Ritual  into  a  manly 
inftitution,  is  to  degrade  it  to  a  frivolous  amufement 
for  great  children.  Men  really  exerting  themfelves  to 
reform  the  world,  and  qualified  for  the  taflc,  muft  have 
been  difgufted  with  fuch  occupations.  They  betray  a 
frivolous  conception  of  the  tail^  in  which  they  are  real- 
ly engaged.  To  imagine  that  men  engaged  in  the 
ftruggle  and  rivalfhip  of  life,  under  the  influence  of 

felfifl]. 


l66  THE    ILLITMINATI.  CHAP.    II* 

fclHfh,  or  mean,  or  impetuous  pafTions,  are  to  be 
wheedled  into  candid  ientiments,  or  a  generous  con- 
du(5t,  as  a  howard  child  may  fometimes  be  made  gen- 
tle and  tradable  by  a  rattle  or  humming-top,  betrays 
a  great  ignorance  of  human  nature,  and  an  arrogant 
felf-conceit  in  thole  who  can  imagine  that  all  but 
themfelves  are  babies.  The  further  we  proceed,  the 
more  do  we  fee  of  this  want  of  wijdom.  The  whole 
procedure  of  their  inftrudion  fuppofes  fuch  a  complr  tc 
lurrender  of  freedom  of  thought,  of  common  fenfe, 
and  of  common  caution,  that  it  feems  impoflible  that 
it  ihould  not  have  alarmed  every  fenfible  mind.  This 
indeed  happened  before  the  Order  was  feven  years  old. 
It  was  wile  indeed  to  keep  their  Areopagit^  Out  of 
fight;  but  who  can  be  fo  filly  as  to  believe  that  their 
unknown  Superiors  were  all  and  always  faultlefs  men  ? 
But  had  they  been  the  men  they  were  reprefented  to 
be, — If  I  have  any  knowledge  of  my  own  heart,  or  any 
capacity  of  drawing  juft  inferences  from  the  condud: 
of  others,  I  am  perfuaded  that  the  knowing  his  Supe- 
riors would  have  animated  the  pupil  to  exertion,  that 
he  might  exhibit  a  pleafing  fpedlacle  to  fuch  intelligent 
and  worthy  judges.  Did  not  the  Stoics  profefs  them- 
felves to  be  encouraged  in  the  fcheme  of  life,  by  the 
thought  that  the  immortal  Gods  were  looking  on  and 
pairing  their  judgments  on  their  manner  of  ading  the 
part  affigned  them  ?  But  what  abjed  fpirit  will  be  con- 
tented with  working,  zealoufly  working,  for  years, 
after  a  plan  of  which  he  is  ne^ver  to  learn  the  full  mean- 
ing ?  In  fliort,  the  only  knowledge  that  he  can  per- 
ceive is  knowledge  in  its  word  form.  Cunning.  This 
muft  appear  in  the  contrivances  by  which  he  will  loon 
find  that  he  is  kept  in  complete  fubjedion.  If  he  is  a 
true  and  zealous  Brother,  he  has  put  himfclf  in  the 
power  of  his  Superiors  by  his  refcripts,  which  they 
required  of  him  on  pretence  of  their  learning  his  own 

>hara(Ster, 


GHAP.  II.  THE    ILLUMINATI.  I67 

charader,  and  of  his  learning  how  to  know  the  cha- 
radtcrs  of  other  men.     In  thefe  refcripts  they  have  got 
his  thoughts  on  many  delicate  points,  and  on  the  con- 
du6l  of  others.     His  Dirc6lors  may  ruin  him  by  be- 
traying him ;  and  this  without  being  feen   in   it.     I 
fhould  think  that  wife  men  would  know  that  none  but 
weak  or  bad  men  would  fubjedl  rhemfelves  to  fuch  a 
tafk.     They  exclude   the   good,  the  manly,  the  only 
fit  perfons  for  affilling  them  in  their  endeavours  to  in- 
form and  to  rule  the  world.     Indeed  I  may  fay  that 
this  exclufion  is   almoll  made  already  by  connefting 
the  Order  with  Free  Mafonry.     Lodges   are   not  the 
reforts  of  fuch  men.     They  may  fometimes  be  found 
there  for  an  hour's  relaxation.     But  thefe   places  arc 
the  haunts  of  the  young,  the  thoughtlefs,  the  idle,  the 
weak,  the  vain,  or  of  defigning  Literati  i  and  accord- 
ingly this  is  the  condition  of  three- fourths  of  the  Illu- 
minati  whofe  names  are  known  to  the  public.     I  own 
that  the  reafons  given  to  the  pupil  for  prefcribing  thefe 
tafks  are  artful,  and  well  adapted  to  produce  their  ef- 
fect.    During  the  flurry  of  reception,  and  the  glow  of 
expedtation,  rhc  danger  may  not  be  fufpecled  -,  but  I 
hardly  imagine  that  it  will   remain  unperceived  when 
the  pupil  fits  down  to  write  his   firft  lelTon.     Mafon 
Lodges,    however,    were  the   moft  likely   places    for 
finding  and  enlifting  members.     Young  men,  warmed 
by  declamations  teeming  with  the  flimfy  moral  cant  of 
Cofmo-politiiin,  are  in  the  proper  frame  of  mind  for 
this  Illumination.     It  now  appears  alfo,  that    the  dif- 
fenfions  in  Fiee  Mafonry  mull  have  had  great  influence 
in  promoting  this  fcheme  of  Weilhaupt's,  which  was, 
in  many  particulars,  \o  unpromifing,  becaufe  it  pre- 
fuppofcs  luch  a  degradation  of  the  mind.     But  when 
the  fchifmatics  in  Mafonry  difputed  with  warmth,   tri- 
fles came  to  acquire  unfpeakablc   importance.     The 
hankering  after  wonder  v.'as  not  in  the  lead  abated  by 

all 


l68  THE    ILLUMINATI.  CHAP.  II. 

all  the  tricks  which  had  been  detected,  and  the  impof- 
fibility  of  the  wilhcd-for  difcovery  had  never  been  de- 
monftrated  to  peribns  prepoirelTed  in  its  favour.  They 
ftill  chofe  to  believe  that  the  fy mbols  contained  fome 
important  fecret;  and  happy  will  be  the  man  who 
finds  it  out.  The  more  frivolous  the  fymbols,  the 
more  does  the  heart  cling  to  the  myftery ;  and,  to  a 
mind  in  this  anxious  ftate,  Weifhaupt's  proffer  was 
enticing.  Pie  laid  before  them  a  fcheme  which  was 
{bmewJiat  f^^afible,  was  magnificent,  furpalTing  our 
conceptions,  but  at  the  fame  time  llich  as  permitted 
us  to  expatiate  on  the  fubjecl,  and  even  to  amplify  it 
at  pleafure  in  our  imaginations  without  abfurdity.  It 
does  not  appear  to  me  wonderful,  therefore,  that  fo 
many  were  fafcinated  till  they  became  at  lad:  regardlefs 
of  the  abfurdity  and  inconfiftency  of  the  means  by 
which  this  fplendid  objed  was  to  be  iirtained.  Hear 
what  Spartacus  himfelf  fays  of  hidden  myfteries.  "  Of 
*'  all  the  means  I  know  to  lead  men,  the  moft  efFec- 
*'  tual  is  a  concealed  myftery.  The  hankering  of  the 
'^  mind  is  irrefiftible  -,  and  if  once  a  man  has  taken  it 
*'  into  his  head  that  there  is  a  myftery  in  a  thing,  it 
"  is  impollible  to  get  it  our,  either  by  argument  or 
"  experience.  And  then,  we  can  fo  change  notions 
"  by  merely  changing  a  word.  What  more  contempti- 
"  ble  thdin  fanatictfm  ;  but  call  it  enthiifiafm  ;  then  add 
*'  the  little  word  nulie^  and  you  may  lead  him  over 
"  the  world.  Nor  are  we,  in  thefe  bright  days,  a  bit 
"  better  than  our  fathers,  who  found  the  pardon  of 
"  their  fins  myiterioufly  contained  in  a  much  greater 
"  fin,  viz.  leaving  their  family,  and  going  barefooted 
"  to. Rome." 

Such  being  the  employment,  and  fuch  the  drfciples, 
Ihould  we  expert  the  fruits  to  be  very  precious  ?  No. 
The  doilrines  which  were  gradually  unfolded  were 
luch  as  iuittd  thf)fc  who  continued  in  the  Curjus  Aca~ 

dewicus. 


e-rtAP.   ll.  THE    ILLUMINATI.  169 

demicus.  Thofe  who  did  net,  becaufe  they  did  not  like 
them,  got  a  Sta  bene;  they  were  not  fit  for  advance- 
ment. The  numbers  however  were  great  j  Spartacus 
boafted  of  600  in  Bavaria  alone  in  1783.-  We  don't: 
know  many  of  them;  few  of  ihofe  we  know  were  in 
the  upper  ranks  of  life  ;  and  I  can  fee  that  it  required 
much  wheedling,  and  many  letters  of  long  worded 
German  compliments  from  the  proud  Spartacus,  to 
win  even  a  young  Baron  or  a  Graf  juft  come  of  age. 
Men  in  an  eafy  fituation  in  life  could  not  brook  the 
employment  of  a  fpy,  which  is  bafe,  cowardly,  and 
corrupting,  and  has  in  all  ages  and  countries  degraded 
the  perfon  who  engages  in  it.  Can  the  perfon  be  call- 
ed wife  who  thus  enilaves  himfelf  ?  Such  perfons  give 
up  the  right  of  private  judgment,  and  rely  on  their  un- 
known Superiors  with  the  hlindeft  and  moft  abjeft  confi- 
dence! For  their  fakes,  and  to  rivet  flill  fafter  their  own 
fetters,  they  engage  in  the  mcft  corrupting  of  all  em- 
ployments— and  for  what  ? — To  learn  fomething  more 
of  an  Order,  of  which  every  degree  explodes  the  doc- 
trine of  a  former  one.  Would  it  have  hurt  the  young 
Illuminatus  to  have  it  explained  to  him  all  at  once  ? 
Would  not  this  fire  his  mind — when  he  fees  with  the 
fame  glance  the  great  objedl,  and  the  fitnefs  of  the 
means  for  attaining  it  ?  Would  not  the  exalted  charac- 
ters of  the  Superiors,  fo  much  excelling  himfelf  in  ta- 
lents, and  virtue,  and  happinefs,  (otherwife  the  Order 
is  good  for  nothing,)  warm  his  heart,  and  fill  him 
with  emulation,  fince  he  fees  in  them,  that  what  is  fo 
ftrongly  preached  to  him  is  an  attainable  thing  ?  No, 
no — it  is  all  a  trick ;  he  muft  be  kept  like  a  child, 
amufed  v/ith  rattles,  and  flars,  and  ribands — and  all 
the  fatisfa6lion  he  obtains  i^,  like  the  Mafons,  the  di- 
vcrfion  of  feeing  others  running  the  fame  gauntlet. 

Wciihaupt  acknowledges  that  the  great  influence  of 
the  Order  inav  be  abufcd.     Surely,  in  no  way  fo  eafiiy 

Y  'or 


lyO  THE    ILLUMINATI.  CHAP.II. 

or  To  fatally  as  by  corrupting  or  feduflive  leOons  in  the 
beginning.  The  millake  or  error  of  the  pupil  is  iin- 
dilcoverable  by  himfelf,  (according  to  tlie  genuine 
principles  of  Illumination,)  for  the  pupil  muft  believe 
his  Mentor  to  be  infallibk — with  him  alone  he  is  con- 
nefted — his  lefibns  only  muft  he  learn.  Who  can  tell 
him  that  he  has  gone  wrong — or  who  can  fct  him 
right? 

Here,  therefore,  there  is  confufion  and  deficiency. 
There  muft  be  ibme  ftandard  to  v^hirh  appeal  can  be 
made  ;  but  this  is  inacceflible  to  all  within  the  pale  of 
the  Order  i  it  is  therefore  without  this  pale,  and  inde- 
pendent of  the  Order — and  it  is  attainable  only  by 
abandoning  the  Order.  The  Qui  bus  Licet,  the 
Prjmo,  the  Soli,  can  procure  no  light  to  the  perfon 
v.ho  does  not  know  that  he  has  been  led  out  of  the 
right  road  to  virtue  and  happinefs.  The  Superiors 
indeed  draw  much  ufeful  information  from  thcle  re- 
ports, though  they  affe6t  to  ftand  in  no  need  of  it,  and 
they  make  a  cruel  return. 

Ail  this  is  fo  much  out  of  the  natural  road  of  inftruc- 
tion,  that,  on  this  account  alone,  we  may  prefume 
that  it  is  wrong.  We  are  generally  fafe  when  we  fol- 
low nature's  plans.  A  child  learns  in  his  father's 
houfe,  by  feeing,  and  by  imitating,  and  in  common 
domeftic  education,  he  gets  much  ufeful  knowledge, 
and  the  chief  habits  which  are  afterwards  to  regulate 
his  conduct.  E"xamplc  does  almoft  every  thing;  and, 
with  refped;  to  what  may  be  called  living,  as  diftin- 
guifliable  from  profeffion,  fpeculation  and  argumenta- 
tive inftru6tion  are  feldom  employed,  or  of  any.ufe. 
The  indifpenfablcnefs  of  mutual  forbearance  and  obe- 
dience, for  domeftic  peace  and  happinefs,  forms  moft 
of  thei'c  habits  ;  and  the  child,  under  good  parents,  is 
kept  in  a  fituation  that  makes  virtue  eaficr  than  vice, 

and 


€HAP.    II.  THE    ILLUMINATI.  I7I 

and  he  becomes  wife  and  good  without   any  exprefs 
iludy  about  The  matter. 

But  this  Iliumination  plan  is  darknefs  over  all — it  is 
too  artificial — and  the  topics,  from  which  counfel  is  to 
be  drawn,  cannot  be  taken  from  the  peculiar  views  of 
the  Order — for  thefe  are  yet  a  fecret  for  the  pupil — 
and  muft  ever  be  a  i'ecret  for  him  while  under  tuition. 
They  muft  therefore  be  drawn  from  common  fources, 
and  the  Order  is  of  no  ufe ;  all  that  can  naturally  be 
efFeduated  by  this  AflTociation  is  the  forming,  and  afTi- 
duoufly  foftering  a  narrow,  Jewifh,  corporation  fpirit, 
totally  oppoiite  to  the  benevolent  pretenfions  of  the 
Order.  The  pupil  can  fee  nothing  but  this,  that  there 
is  a  fet  of  men,  whom  he  does  not  know,  who  may 
acquire  incontroulable  power,  and  may  perhaps  make 
life  of  him,  but  for  v/hat  purpofe,  and  in  what  way, 
he  does  not  know  -,  how  can  he  know  that  his  endea- 
vours are  to  make  man  happier,  any  other  way  than  as 
he  might  have  known  it  without  having  put  this  collar 
round  his  own  neck  ? 

Thefe  reflexions  addrefs  themfelves  to  all  men  who 
profefs  to  cormJud  themfelves  by  the  principles  and  dic- 
tates of  common  fenfe  and  prudence,  and  who  have  the 
ordinary  ihare  of  candour  and  good-will  to  others,  it 
requires  no  fingular  fcnfibility  of  heart,  nor  great  ge- 
nerofity,  to  make  fuch  people  think  the  doftrines  and 
views  of  the  Illuminati  falfe,  abfurd,  foolifli,  and  ru- 
inous. But  I  hope  that  I  addrefs  them  to  thoufands  of 
my  countrymen  and  friends,  who  have  much  higher 
notions  of  human  nature,  and  who  cherifh  with  care 
the  afFedions  and  the  hopes  that  are  fuited  to  a  rational, 
a  benevolent,  and  a  high-minded  being,  capable  of 
endlefs  improvement. 

To  thofe  who  enjoy  the  cheering  confidence  in  the 
fuptrintendance  and  providence  of  God,  who  confider 
tl^emf-rlves  as  creatures  whom  he  has  m^de,  and  whom 

he 


172  THE    ILLUMINATI.  CHAP,  ll. 

he  cares  for,  as  the  fubjefts  of  his  moral  government, 
this  Order  muft  appear  with  every  charadtcr  of  falfe- 
hood  and  ablurdity  on  its  countenance.  What  can 
BE  MORE  IMPROBABLE  thpn  this,  that  He,  whom  we 
look  up  to  as  the  contriver,  the  maker,  and  diredtor  of 
this  goodly  frame  of  things,  fhould  have  fo  far  miftakcn 
his  own  plans,  that  this  world  of  rational  creatures 
'liouid  have  fiibfifted  for  thoufands  of  years,  before  a 
way  could  be  found  out,  by  which  his  intention  of  mak- 
ing men  good  and  happy  could  be  accompliihcd  ;  and 
that  this  method  did  not  occur  to  the  great  Artift  him- 
felf,  nor  even  to  the  wifcil,  and  happieft,  and  beft  men 
upon  earth  -,  but  to  a  few  infignificant  perfons  at  Mu- 
nich in  Eavaria,  who  had  been  trying  to  raife  ghofts,  to 
change  lead  into  gold,  to  tell  fortunes,  or  difcover  trea- 
furcs,  but  had  failed  in  all  their  attempts  5  men  who 
had  been  engaged  for  years  in  every  whim  which  cha- 
raclerifes  a  weak,  a  greedy,  or  a  gloomy  mind  ?  Find- 
ing ail  thefe  beyond  their  reach,  they  combined  their 
powers,  and,  at  oiici,  foand  out  this  infinitely  more 
important  secret — for  fecret  it  mull  dill  be,  other- 
\vife  not  only  the  Deity,  but  even  thefe  philofophers, 
will  Hill  be  difappointed. 

Yet  this  is  the  docSlrine  that  mufl  be  fwallowed  by 
the  Minervals  and  the  Ilhaninati  Minores,  to  whom  it 
is  not  yet  fife  to  difclofe  the  grand  fecret,  that  there  is 
no  Juch  Juperhiiendance  of  Deity.  At  lad,  however,  when 
iht  pupil  has  conceived  inch  exp.lted  notions  of  the 
knowledge  of  his  teachers,  and  fuch  low  notions  of 
the  blundering  projector  of  this  world,  it  may  be  no 
difficult  matter  to  perfuade  him  that  all  his  former  no- 
tions were  only  old  wives  tales.  By  this  time  he  mull 
have  heard  much  about  fuperflition,  and  how  men's 
minds  have  been  dazzled  by  this  fplendid  picture  of  a 
Providence  and  a  moral  srovernment  of  the  univcrfe. 
It  pow  appears  incompatible   with  the  great  object  of 

.  the 


t:HAP.    ir.  THE    II.LUMINATI.  1 73 

the  Order,  the  principles  ofiiniverfal  liberty  and  equa- 
lity— it  is  therefore  rejected  without  farther  examina- 
ticon,  for  this  reafon  alone.  This  was  precifely  the  ar- 
gument ufed  in  France  for  rejediing  revealed  religion. 
It  was  incompatible  with  their  Rij^hts  of  Man. 

It  is  richly  worth  obftrving  how  this  principle  can 
warp  thejudgment,  and  give  quite  another  appearance 
to  the  fame  object.  The  reader  will  not  be  difpleafed 
with  a  mod  remarkable  inftance  of  it,  which  I  beg 
leave  to  give  at  length. 

Our  immortal  Newton,  whom  the  philofophers  of 
Europe  look  up  to  as  the  honour  of  our  fpecies,  whom 
even  Mr.  Bailiy,  the  Prefident  of  the  National  Affem- 
bly  of  France,  and  Mayor  of  Paris,  cannot  find  words 
fuiiicieRtiy  energetic  to  praife  ;  this  patient,  fagacjous, 
and  fuccefsfui  obfervcr  of  nature,  afucr  having  exhibit- 
ed to  the  wondering  world  the  charadberiftic  property 
of  that  pri,;ciple  of  material  nature  by  which  all  the  bo- 
dies of  rlie  foiar  fyftem  arc  made  to  form  a  connefled 
and  perii-'anenc  univerle  ;  and  after  having  fhov^n  that 
this  lavv- of  action  alone  Vv'as  adapted  to  this  end,  and 
that  if 'gravity  had  deviated  but  one  thcufandch  part 
from  the  inverfe  duplicate  ratio  of  the  diftances,  the 
fyflem  muP:,  in  the  courle  of  a  very  few  revolutions, 
have  gone  into  confufion  and  ruin — he  fits  down,  and 
views  the  goodly  fccne, — and  then  clofcs  his  Principles 
of  Natural  Philofophy  with  this  refledlion  {\vi.s  Schcliujn 
generale) : 

"  This  mod  elegant  frame  of  things  could  not  have 
*^  arifen,  unlefs  by  the  contrivance  and  the  direction  of 
''  a  wife  and  powerful  Being;  and  if  the  fixed  ftars  are 
*'  the  centres  of  fyftems,  thefe  fyftems  muft  befnrdlar  ; 
'^  and  all  thefe,  conftrufted  according  to  the  fame 
"  plan,  are  fubjcCt  to  the  government  o^ one  Being. 
*^  All  thefe  he  governs,  not  as  the  foul  of  the  world, 
*.■    but  as  the  Lord  of  all  ;   therefore,  on  account  of  his 

government. 


174  THE    ILLUMINATI.  CHA?.    II. 


tc 


iC 

.  i( 
<c 

(C 

cc 
(I 


governmentj  he  is  called  rhe  Lord  God — ParJckra- 
"  Ur  ;  for  God  is  a  relative  term,  and  refers  to  fubjed::^. 
*'  Deity  is  God's  govcrniiienr,  not  of  his  own  body,  as 
**^  thofe  think  who  confidtr  him  as  the  foul  of  the 
<^^  world,  but  of  his  fervants.  The  fupreme  God  is  a 
'^  Being  eternal,  inlinite,  abfolutely  perfedh  But  a  be- 
ing, however  perfc6l,  without  government,  is  not 
Godi  for  we  fay,  ?;,^  God,  your  God,  the  God  of 
lirael.  We  cannot  fay  ;7?^  eternal,  ^/zy  infinite.  We 
may  have  fome  notions  indeed  of  his  attributes,  but 
can  have  none  of  his  nature.  With  refpecl  to  bodies, 
we  fee  only  Hiapes  and  colour — hear  only  founds — 
"  touch  only  furfaces.  Thefc  are  attributes  of  bodies  ; 
"  but  of  their  elfcnce  we  know  nochinf^.  As  a  blind 
'^  man  can  form  no  notion  of  colours,  we  can  form 
*'  none  of  the  manner  in  u'hich  God  perceives,  and 
"  underftands,  and  influences  every  thing. 

^'  Therefore  we  know  God  only  by  his  attributes. 
"  What  are  thefe  ?  The  v/ife  and  excellent  contri- 
*'  vance,,  (Irudlure,  and  final  aim  of  all  things.  In 
thefe  his  perfections  we  admire  him,  and  we  wonder. 
In  his  direction  or  government,  we  venerate  and 
worlhip  him — we  worfhip  him  as  his  fervants  ,  and 
God,  without  dominion,  without  providence,  and 
final  aims,  is  Fate — not  the  object  either  of  reve- 
rence, of  hope,  of  love,  or  of  fear. 
But  mark  the  emotions  which  affedled  the  mind  of 
another  excellent  obferver  of  Nature,  the  admirer 
of  Newton,  and  the  pcrfon  who  has  put  the  finifning 
ftroke  to  the  Newtonian  phiiofophy,  by  lliowing  that 
the  acceleration  of  the  moon's  mean  motion,  is  the 
genuine  refult  of  a  gravitation  decreafmg  in  the  precife 
duplicate  ratio  of  the  diftance  inverfely  ;  I  mean  Mr. 
Delaplace,  one  of  the  moll  brilliant  ornaments  of  the 
French  academy  of  fciences.  He  has  lately  publiHied 
fhe  Sjjicme  du  McndCy  a   mod   beautiful  compend  of 

aftromony 


(C 

<( 
<( 

<c 
<c 


CHAP.  II.  THE    ILLUMINATI.  I75 

aftronomy  and  of  the  Newtonian  philofopliy.  Having 
finilhed  his  work  with  the  fame  obfervation,  "  That  a 
"  gravitation  invcrfely  proportional  to  the  fquares  of 
*'  the  diftances  was  the  only  principle  which  could 
'*  unite  material  Nature  into  a  permanent  fyfiem  j" 
he  alfo  fits  down — furveys  the  fcene^ — points  out  the 
parts  which  he  had  brought  within  our  ken — and  then, 
makes  this  refiedion  :  "  Beheld  in  its  totality,  aftro- 
"  nomy  is  the  noblcft  monument  of  the  human  mind, 
"  its  chief  title  to  intelligence.  But,  feduced  by  the 
'^  iliufions  of  fenfe,  and  by  fclf-conceit,  we  have  long 
*'  confidered  ourfelves  as  the  centre  of  thefe  motions; 
^'  and  our  pride  has  been  puniOied  by  the  groundlefs 
"  fears  which  we  have  created  to  ourfelves.  We 
«'  imagine,  forfooih,  that  all  this  is  for  us,  and  that 
*'  the  liars  influence  our  deuinies  !  But  the  labours  of 
"  ages  have  convinced  us  of  our  error,  and  v.'e  find 
*'  ourfelves  on  an  infigniticant  planet,  almoft  imper- 
**  cepcible  in  the  immenfity  of  fpace.  But  the  fub- 
*<^  lime  difcoveries  we  have  made  richly  repay  this 
^^  humble  fuuation.  Let  us  cherilh  thefe  with  care,  as 
*'  the  delight  of  thinking  beings — fhey  have  deftroyed 
'^  our  miftakcs  as  to  our  relation  to  the  reft  of  the  uni- 
**  verfe  j  errors  which  were  the  more  fatal,  becaufe 
*^  the  fociai  Order  depends  on  juftice  and  truth  alone. 
"  Far  be  from  us  the  dangerous  maxim,  that  it  is  fome- 
"  times  ufeful  to  depart  from  thefe,  and  to  deceive 
"  men,  in  order  to  infure  their  happinefs  ;  but  cruel 
*'  experience  has  fnewn  us  that  thefe  laws  are  never  to- 
"  tally  extinct.'' 

There  can  be  no  doubt  as  to  the  meaningof  thefe  laft 
words — they  cannot  relate  to  aftrology — this  was  en- 
tirely out  of  date.  The  '^attempts  to  deceive  men, 
*'  in  order  to  infure  their  happinefs,"  can  only  be 
tliofe  by  which  we  are  made  to  think  too  highly  of  our- 
felves.    '*  Inhabitants  of  this  pepper-corn,  we    think 

*'  ourfelves 


176  THE    iLLUMIXATr.  CHAF,    TL 

'*  ourfclves  the  peculiar  favourites  of  Heav(,\  nay  the 
"  chief  objeds  of  care  to  a  Being,  the  Maker  of  all,  j 
**  and  then  we  imagine  that,  after  this  life,  we  are  to 
"  be  happy  or  miferable,  according  as  we  accede  or 
*^  not  to  this  fiibj ligation  to  opinions  which  enllave  us. 
**  But  truth  and  jultice  have  broken  thefe  bonds." — 
But  where  is  the  force  of  the  argument  which  entitles 
this  perfedter  of  the  Newtonian  philofophy  to  exult  Co 
much  ?  It  ail  reds  on  this,  I'hat  this  earth  is  but  as  a 
grain  of  muftard-feed.  Man  would  be  more  worth  at- 
tention had  he  inhabited  Jupiter  or  the  .Sun.  Thus 
may  a  Frenchman  look  down  on  the  noble  creatures 
who  inhabit  Orolong  or  Pclew.  But  whence  aiifes  the 
abfurdity  of  the  intcUeilual  inhabitants  of  this  pepper- 
corn being  a  proper  object  of  attention  ?  it  is  becaufc 
our  (hallow  comprehenfions  cannot,  at  the  fame  glance, 
fee  an  extenfive  fcene,  and  perceive  its  moil  minute 
detail. 

David,  a  King,  and  a  foldicr,  had  fome  notions  of 
this  kind.  The  heavens,  it  is  true,  pointed  out  to 
him  a  Maker  and  Ruler,  which  is  more  than  they  feem 
to  have  done  to  the  Gallic  philolopher;  but  David  v/as 
afraid  that  he  would  be  forgotten  in  the  crowd,  and 
cries  out,  *'  Lord  what  is  man  that  thou  art  mindful  of 
"  him?''  But  David  gets  rid  of  his  fears,  not  by  be- 
coming a  philofopher,  and  difcovering  all  this  to  be 
abfurd, — he  would  ftill  be  forgotten, — he  at  once  thinks 
of  what  he  is — a  noble  creature — high  in  the  fcale  of 
nature.  ^'  But,"  fays  he,  "  I  had  forgotten  myfelf 
"  Thou  haft  made  man  but  a  little  lower  than  the  an- 
"  gels — thou  haft  crowned  him  with  glory  and  honour 
«  — thou  hail  put  all  things  under  his  feet."  Here 
are  exalted  fentimencs,  fit  for  the  creature  v/hofe  ken 
pierces  through  the  immcnfity  of  the  viable  univerl'e, 
and  who  fees  his  relation  to  the  univerfe,  being  nearly 
allied  10  its  Sovereign,  and  capable  of  rifing  con- 
tinually 


CHAP.  n.  THE    ILLUMINATI.  I77 

tinually  in  his  rank,  by  cultivating  thofe  talents  which 
diftinguifli  and  adorn  if. 

Thoufarids,  I  truft,  there  are,  who  think  that  this 
life  is  but  a  preparation  for  another,  in  which  the  mind 
of  man  will  have  the  whole  wonders  of  creation  and  oi 
providence  laid  open  to  its  enraptured  view — where 
it  will  fee  and  comprehend  with  one  glance  what  New- 
ton, the  moft  patient  and  fuccefsful  of  all  the  obfervers 
of  nature,  took  years  of  meditation  to  find  out — where 
it  Vvfill  attain  that  pitch  of  wifdom,  goodnefs,  and  en- 
joyment, of  which  our  confciences  tell  us  we  are  ca- 
pable, though  it  far  furpaffes  that  of  the  wifeft,  the 
beft,  and  the  happiefl  of  men.  Such  perfons  will  con- 
fider  this  Order  as  degrading  and  deteftable,  and  as  in 
dire6t  oppofition  to  their  mod  confident  expectations: 
For  it  pretends  to  what  is  impoffibie,  to  perfect  peace 
and  happinefs  in  this  life.  They  believe,  and  they 
feel,  that  man  muft  be  made  perfect  through  lufferings, 
which  fhall  call  into  aflion  powers  of  mind  that  othcr- 
wiie  would  never  have  unfolded  themfelves — powers 
which  are  frequently  fources  of  the  purefc  and  moft 
foothing  pleafures,  and  naturally  make  us  reft  our  eyes 
and  hopes  on  that  ftate  where  every  rear  fliali  be  wiped 
away,  and  where  the  kind  a{rc6i:ions  fliall  become  the 
never-failing  fources  of  pure  and  unfading  delight. 
Such  perfons  fee  the  palpable  abfurdity  of  a  prepara- 
tion which  is  equally  necelTary  for  all,  and  yet  muft  be 
confined  to  the  minds  of  a  few,  who  have  the  low  and 
indelicate  appetite  for  frivolous  play -things,  and  for 
grofs  fenfual  pleafures.  Such  minds  will  turn  away 
from  this  boatted  treat  with  Icat  ling  and  abhorrence. 

I  am  well  aware  that  feme  of  my  readers  may  fmiie 
at  this,  and  think  it  an  enthufiadicai  working   up  of 
the  imagination,  fimilar  to  what  I  reprobate  in  the  cafe 
of  Utopian  happinefs  in  a  ftate  of  univerfal  Liberty 
and  Equality.     It  is  like,  they  will  fay,  to  the  decla- 

Z  mation 


lyS  TH£  ILLUMINATI.  CHAP.  II. 

mation  in  a  fermon  I  y  perlons  of  the  trade,  who  are 
trained  up  to  finclTc,  by  which  tliey  allure  and  ticl^lc 
weak  minds. 

1  acknowledge  that  in  the  prefcnt  cafe  I  do  not  ad- 
drefs  myfelf  to  the  cold  hearts,   who  contentedly 

"  Sink  andjlumhcr  in  /heir  cells  cf  clay  ; 

Peace  to  all  fuch  ; but  to  the  '■'■  f dices  aninicCy 

^'  quibus  h^€C  cognofcere  cura  ;'" — to  thoje  who  have  en- 
joyed the  pleaiurts  of  Icience,  who  have  been  fuccels- 
ful — who  have  made  dilcoveries — who  have  really  il- 
luminated the  world — to  the  Bacons,  the  Ncwtons,  the 
Lockcs. — Allow  me  to  mention  one,  Daniel  Bernoul- 
li, the  moll  elegant  mathematician,  the  only  philofo- 
pher,  and  the  mod  worthy  man,  of  that  celebrated 
family.  He  faid  to  a  gentleman,  (Dr.  Staehling,) 
who  repeated  it  to  me,  that  "  when  reading  fome  of 
**  thofc  wonderful  gutiTes  of  Sir  ifaac  Newton,  the 
"  fubfequent  dcmonftration  of  which  has  been  the 
'*  chief  fource  of  fame  to  his  moll  celebrated  commen- 
*'  tators — his  mind  has  fometimes  been  fo  overpower- 
"  ed  by  thrilling  emotions,  that  he  has  wiflied  that 
"  moment  to  be  his  lalt ;  and  that  it  was  this  which 
"  gave  him  the  cleareft  conception  of  the  happinefs 
*^  of  heaven."  If  fuch  delightful  emotions  could  be 
excited  by  the  perception  of  mere  truth,  what  muft 
they  be  when  each  of  thefe  truths  is  an  inflance  of  wif- 
dom,  and  when  we  recolleft,  that  what  we  call  wifdom 
in  the  works  of  nature,  is  aKvays  the  nice  adaptation 
of  means  for  producing  ^^/7^c<?«/  ends  i  and  that  each 
of  thel'e  aifccling  qualities  is  fufceptible  of  degrees 
which  are  boundlefs,  and  exceed  our  highefb  concep- 
tions ?  What  can  this  complex  emotion  or  feeling  be 
but  rapture  ?  But  Bernoulli  is  a  Dodor  of  Theology — 
and  therefore  a  fufpicious  pcrfon,  perhaps  one  of  the 

combination 


CHAP.  ir.  THE    ILLUMINA'II.  179 

combination  hired  by  defpots  to  cnfiave  us.  I  will 
take  another  man,  a  gentleman  of  rank  and  family,  a 
foldier,  who  often  fignalifed  himfclf  as  a  naval  com- 
mander— who  at  one  time  forced  his  way  through  a 
powerful  fleet  of  the  Venetians  with  a  fmall  fquadron, 
and  brought  relief  to  a  diftrefTed  garrifon.  1  would 
defirc  the  reader  to  perufe  the  conclufion  of  Sir  Ken- 
hclm  Difi;by's  TreatiJ'es  en  Body  and  Mind ;  and  after 
having;  rcfle(Si:ed  on  the  flate  of  fcience  at  the  time  this 
author  wrote,  let  him  coolly  weigh  the  incitements  to 
manly  condudt  which  this  foldier  finds  in  the  differences 
obferved  between  body  and  mind  ;  and  then  let  him 
fay,  on  his  confcience,  v/hether  they  are  more  feeble 
than  thofe  which  he  can  draw  from  the  eternal  fleep 
of  death.  If  he  thinks  that  they  are — he  is  in  the  pro- 
per frame  for  initiation  into  Spartacus's  higher  myfte- 
ries.     He  may  be  either  Magus  or  Rex. 

Were  this  a  proper  place  for  confidcring  the  quef- 
tlon  as  a  queftion  of  fcience  or  truth,  I  would  fay,  that 
every  man  who  has  been  z.  Jiiccejsful  ftudent  of  nature, 
and  who  will  reft  his  conclufions  on  the  fame  maxims 
of  probable  reafoning  that  have  procured  him  fuccefs 
in  his  paft  refearches,  v/ill  confider  it  as  next  to  certain 
that  there  is  another  ftate  of  exiftence  for  rational  man. 
For  he  muft  own,  that  if  this  be  not  the  cafe,  there  is 
a  mod  lingular  exception  to  a  propofition  which  the 
Avhoie  courfe  of  his  experience  has  made  him  confider 
as  a  truth  founded  on  univerfal  induition,  viz.  that 
nature  accompliJJoes  all  her  plans,  and  that  every  clafs  of 
beings  attains  all  the  imjprovement  of  which  it  is  capa- 
ble. Let  him  but  turn  his  thoughts  inward,  he  will 
feel  that  his  inteilc6l  is  capable  of  improvement,  in 
comparifon  with  which  Newton  is  but  a  child.  I 
could  purfue  this  argument  very  far,  and  (I  think) 
warm  the  heart  of  every  man  wiiom  I  fliould  wifh  to 
call  my  friend. 

What 


l80  THE  ILLUMINATI.  CHAP.    11. 

What  opinion  will  be  formed  of  this  Aflociation  by 
the  modcit,  the  lowly- minded,  the  candid,  who  ac- 
knovv'ledge  that  they  too  often  feci  the  fuperior  force 
of  prcfcnt  and  feiifible  pleafiues,  by  which  their  minds 
are  drawn  off  from  the  contemplation  of  what  their 
confcienccs  tell  them  to  be  right, — to  be  their  dutiful 
and  filial  fmtiments  and  emotions  refpe6ling  their  great 
and  good  Parent. — to  be  their  dutiful  and  neighbourly 
affec'tions,  and  their  proper  condudt  to  all  around  them 
— and  which  diminifh  their  veneration  for  that  purity 
of  thought  and  moderation  of  appetite  which  becomes 
their  noble  natures  ?  What  muft  they  think  of  this  Or- 
der ?  Confcious  of  frequent  faults,  which  would  offend 
themfelves  if  committed  by  their  deareil  children, 
they  look  up  to  their  Maker  with  anxiety — are  grieved 
to  have  fo  far  forgotten  their  duty,  and  fearful  that 
they  may  again  forget  it.  Their  painful  experience 
tells  them  that  their  reafon  is  often  too  weak,  their  in- 
formation too  fcanty,  or  its  light  is  obflruded  by  paf- 
fion  and  prejudices,  which  diftort  and  difcolour  every 
thing;  or  it  is  unheeded  during  their  attention  to  pre- 
fent  objefts.  Happy  fliould  they  be,  if  it  fliould  pleafe 
their  kind  Parent  to  remind  them  of  their  duty  from 
time  to  time,  or  to  influence  their  mind  in  any  way 
that  would  compenfate  for  their  ov/n  ignorance,  their 
own  weaknefs,  or  even  their  indolence  and  negleft. 
They  dare  not  expe£l  fuch  a  favour,  which  their  mo- 
defty  tells  them  they  do  not  deferve,  and  which  they 
fear  m.ay  be  unfit  to  be  granted  ;  but  when  fuch  a  com- 
fort is  held  out  to  them,  with  eager  hearts  they  re- 
ceive it — they  blefs  the  kindncfs  that  granted  it,  and 

the  hand  that  brings  it. Such  amiable  charafters 

have  appeared  in  all  ages,  and  in  all  lituations  of  man- 
kind. They  have  not  in  all  inftances  been  wife — often 
have  they  been  precipitate,  and  have  too  readily  caught 
at  any  thing  which  pretended  to  give  them  the  fo  much 

wifhed- 


CHAP.  If.  THE  ILLUMINATI.  l8l 

wifned-for  afliftances  -,  and,  imforcunately,  there  have 
been  eRthufiafts,  or  villains,  who  have  taken  advan- 
tage of  this  univerfal  wifli  of  anxious  man^  and  the 
world  has  been  darkened  by  cheats,  who  have  mifre- 
prefented  God  to  mankind,  have  tilled  us  with  vain 
terrors,  and  have  then  quieted  ©ur  fears  by  fines,  and 
facrifices,  and  mortifications,  and  fervices,  which  they 
faid  were  more  than  fufficient  to  expiate  all  our  faults. 
Thus  was  our  duty  to  our  neighbour,  to  our  own  dig- 
nity, and  to  our  Maker  and  Parent,  kept  out  of  fight, 
and  religion  no  longer  came  in  aid  to  our  fenfe  of  right 
and  wrong  i  but,  on  the  contrary,  by  thefe  fuperili- 
tions  it  opened  the  doors  of  heaven  to  the  worthlefs 
and  the  wicked. — But  I  wifh  not  to  fpeak  of  thefe 
men,  but  of  the  good,  the  candid,  the  modest,  the 
HUMBLE,  who  know  their  failings,  who  love  their  du- 
ties, but  wifh  to  know,  to  perceive,  and  to  love  them 
ftiil  more.  Thefe  are  they  vt'ho  think  and  believe  that 
"  the  Gofpel  has  brought  life  and  immortality  to 
*'  light,"  that  is,  within  their  reach.  They  think  it 
worthy  of  the  Father  of  mankind,  and  they  receive  it 
with  thankful  hearts,  admiring  above  all  things  the 
fimplicity  of  its  morality,  comprehended  in  one  fen- 
tence,  "  Do  to  another  what  you  can  reafonably  wifh 
"  that  another  Ihould  do  to  you,"  and  that  purity 
OF  thought  and  manners  which  distinguishes 
it  from  all  the  systems  of  moral  instruction 

THAT    have    ever     BEEN     OFFERED     TO     MEN.       HerC 

they  find  a  ground  of  rcfignation  under  the  troubles  of 
life,  and  a  fupport  in  the  hour  of  death,  quite  fuited 
to  the  diffidence  of  their  own  charadter.  Such  men 
axe  ready  to  grant  that  the  Stoics  were  perfons  of  no- 
ble and  exalted  minds,  and  that  they  had  worthy  con- 
ceptions of  the  rank  ot  man  in  the  fcale  of  God's 
v/orks ;  but  they  confefs  that  they  themfelves  do  not 
fetl  all  that  fupport  from  Stoical  principles  Vv^hich  man 

too 


l82  THE    ILLUMINATI.  CHAP.  II. 

too  frequently  needs ;  and  they  fay  that  they  are  not 
fingular  in  their  opinions,  but  that  the  bulk  of  ma;i- 
kind  are  prevented,  by  their  want  of  heroic  fortitude, 
by  their  iituation,  or  their  want  of  the  opportunities  of 
culfivatinc^  their  native  llrength  of  mind,  from  ever 
attaining  this  hearty  fubmiiTion  to  the  w\\\  of  the  Deity. 
They  maintain,  that  the  Stoics  were  but  a  few,  a  very- 
few,  from  among  many  millions^ — and  therefore  ibet'r 
being  fatisiied  was  but  a  trifle  amidft  the  general  dif- 
content,  and  anxiety,  and  defpair. — Such  men  will 
moft  certainly  ftart  back  from  this  Illumination  with 
horror  and  fright — from  a  Society  which  gives  tlie  lie 
to  their  fondeli  expectations,  makes  a  fport  of  their 
grounds  of  hope,  and  of  tlieir  deliverer ;  and  which, 
after  laughing  at  their  credulity,  bids  them  fliake  off 
all  religion  whatever,  and  denies  the  exiftence  of  that 
Supreme  Mind,  the  pattern  of  all  excellence,  who  till 
now  had  filled  their  thoughts  with  admiration  and  love 
— from  an  Order  which  pretends  to  free  them  from 
fpiritual  bondage,  and  then  lays  on  their  necks  a  load 
ten  times  more  opprefiive  and  intolerable,  from  which 
they  have  no  power  of  ever  efcaping.  Men  o(  (tnCe 
and  virtue  will  fpurn  at  fuch  a  propofal ;  and  even  the 
profligate,  who  trade  with  Deity,  mufl:  be  fenfible  that 
ihey  will  be  better  off  with  their  priefts,  whom  they 
know,  and  among  whom  they  may  make  a  feledlion  of 
fuch  as  will  with  patience  and  gentlenefs  clear  up  their 
doubts,  calm  their  il-ars,  and  encourage  their  hopes. 

And  ail  good  men,  all  lovers  of  peace  and  of  jufl:ice, 
will  abhor  and  rejeft  the  thought  of  overturning  the 
prefcnt  conftitucion  of  things,  faulty  as  it  may  be, 
merelv  in  the  endeavour  to  efcabliih  another,  wliich 
the  vices  of  mankind  may  fubvcrt  again  in  a  tv/clve- 
month.  Tlicy  mull  fee,  that  in  order  to  gain  their 
point,  the  propofcrs  have  found  it  neceffary  to  deftroy 
the  o-rouads  of  morality,  by  permitting  the  moft  wick- 
ed 


«HAP.  II.  THE  ILLUMINATI.  183 

cd  means  for  accomplifhing  any  end  that  our  fancy, 
warped  by  paffion  or  interelt,  may  reprefent  to  us  as 
of  great  importance.  They  fee,  that  inftead  of  mora- 
lity, vice  muft  prevail,  and  that  therefore  there  is  no 
fecurity  for  the  continuance  of  this  Utopian  felicity  ; 
and,  in  the  mean  time,  defolation  and  mifery  muft  lay 
the  world  waite  during  the  ftruggle,  and  half  of  thofe 
for  whom  we  are  ftriving  will  be  fwept  from  the  face 
of  the  earth.  We  have  but  to  look  to  France,  where 
in  eight  years  there  have  been  more  executions  and 
fpoliarions  and  diftreffts  of  every  kind  by  the  pouvcir 
revclutminaire,  than  can  be  found  in  the  long  records 
of  that  defpotic  monarchy. 

There  is  nothing  in  the  whole  confiitucion  of  the 
Illuminati  that  ftrikes  me  with  more  horror  than  the 
propofals  of  Hercules  and  Minos  to  cnlift  the  women 
in  this  fliocking  warfare  with  all  that  "  is  good,  and 
"  pure,  and  lovely,  and  of  good  report."  They  could 
not  have  fallen  on  any  expedient  that  will  be  more  ef-* 
feftual  and  fatal.  If  any  of  my  countrywomen  lliall 
honour  thefe  pages  with  a  reading,  I  would  call  on 
them,  in  the  moft  earneft  manner,  to  conficier  this  as 
an  a^Fair  of  the  utmoft  importance  to  themfelves.  I 
would  conjure  them  by  the  regard  they  have  for  their 
own  dignity,  and  for  their  rank  in  fociety,  to  join 
againft  thefe  enemies  of  human  nature  and  profligate 
degraders  of  the  fex ;  and  I  would  affure  them  that 
the  prefent  ftate  of  things  almoft  puts  it  in  their  power 
to  be  the  faviours  of  the  world.  But  if  they  are  remifs, 
and  yield  to  the  feduflion,  they  will  fall  from  that  high 
ftate  to  which  they  have  arifen  in  Chriflian  Europe, 
and  again  fink  into  that  infignificancy  or  flavery  in 
which  the  fex  is  found  in  all  ages  and  countries  out  of 
the  hearing  of  Chriftianity. 

I   hope  that  my  countrywomen  Vviii  confider  this  fo- 
lemn  addrcfs  to  them  as  a  proof  of  the  high  efteem  in 

which 


184  THE  ILLUMINATl.  CHA?.  li"* 

which  I  hold  them.  They  will  not  be  ofFended  then 
if,  in  this  fcafon  of  alarm  and  anxiety,  when  I  wifh  10 
imprefs  their  minds  with  a  ferious  truth,  I  Ihall  wave 
ceremony,  which  is  always  defigning,  and  fpeak  of 
them  in  honeft  but  decent  plainnels. 

Man  is  immerfed  in  luxury.  Our  accommodations 
are  now  fo  numerous  that  every  thing  is  pleafure.  Even 
in  very  fober  fituations  in  this  highly-cultivated  Soci- 
ety, there  is  hardly  a  thing  that  remains  in  the  form 
of  a  neceifary  of  life,  or  even  of  a  mere  conveniency — 
every  thing  is  ornamented — it  mutt  not  appear  of  ufc 
— it  muft  appear  as  giving  fome  fenfible  pleaibre.  I 
do  not  fay  this  by  way  of  blaming — it  is  nature — man 
is  a  refining  creature,  and  our  mofb  boafted  acquire- 
ments are  but  refinements  on  our  neceffarv  wants.  Our 
hut  becomes  a  palace,  our  blanket  a  fine  drefs,  and 
our  arts  become  fciences.  This  difcontent  vi'ith  the 
natural  condition  of  things,  and  this  difpofition  to  re- 
finement, is  a  charadteriftic  of  our  fpecies,  and  is  tlic 
great  employment  of  our  lives.  The  direftion  which 
this  propenfity  chances  to  take  in  any  age  or  nation, 
marks  its  chara6ler  in  the  moll  confpicuous  and  intc- 
refting  manner.  All  have  it  in  fome  degree,  and  it  is 
very  conceivable  that,  in  fome,  it  may  conftitute  the 
chief  objeft  of  attention.  If  this  be  the  cafe  in  any  na- 
tions, it  is  furely  moft  likely  to  be  fo  in  thofe  where 
the  accommodations  of  life  are  the  moil  numerous — 
th<"refore  in  a  rich  and  luxurious  nation. '  I  may  furely, 
without  exaggeration  or  reproach,  give  that  appella- 
tion to  our  own  n  uion  at  this  moment.  If  you  clo  not 
go  to  the  very  loweft  clafs  of  people,  v/ho  mulb  labour 
all  day,  is  it  not  the  chief  object  of  all  to  procure  per- 
ceptible pkiijure  in  one  way  or  another  ?  The  fober  and 
bufy  ftruggie  in  the  thoughts  and  hopes  of  getting  the 
means  of  enjoying  the  r5////"wYj-  of  life  without  farther 
labour — and  many  have  no  other  objedt  than  pleafure. 

Then 


CHAP.   ir.  THE  ILLUMINATI.  1B5 

I 

Then  let  us  refie6l  that  it  is  woman  that  is  to  grace 
the  whole — It  is  in  nature,  it  is  the  very  conflicution  of 
man,  that  woman,  and  every  thing  connected  with 
woman,  muft  appear  as  the  ornament  of  life.  That 
this  mixes  with  every  other  focial  fentiment,  appears 
from  the  conduct  of  our  fpecies  in  all  ages  and  in  eve  y 
fituation.  This  I  prefume  would  be  the  cafe  cvca 
though  there  were  no  qualities  in  the  (c-k.  to  juft-ify  it. 
This  fentiment  rrfpedting  the  fex  is  necellary,  in  order 
to  rear  fo  hclpltll,  fo  nice,  and  (o  improveable  a  crea- 
ture as  man  ;  without  it,  the  long  abiding  talk  could 
not  be  performed  : — and  I  think  th^t  1  may  venture 
to  fay  that  it  is  performed  in  the  different  Paces  of  fo- 
ciety  nearly  in  proportion  as  this  preparatory  and  indif- 
pcnfable  fentiment  is  in  force. 

On  the  other  hand,  I  think  it  no  lefs  evident  that  it 
is  the  defire  of  the  women  to  be  acreeabie  to  the  men, 
and  that  they  will  model  themfeives  according  to  what 
they  think  will  pleafe.  Without  this  adjuftment  of 
fentiments  by  nature,  nothing  would  go  on.  We  ne- 
ver obferve  any  fuch  want  of  fymmetry  in  the  works 
of  God.  If,  therefore,  thofe  v/ho  take  the  lead,  apd 
give  the  fafliion  in  fociety,  were  wife  and  virtuous,  I 
have  no  doubt  but  that  the  women  would  fet  the 
brighteft  pattern  of  every  thing  that  is  excellent.  Biit 
if  the  men  are  nice  and  faflidious  fcnfualifts,  the  women 
will  be  refined  and  elegant  voluptuaries. 

There  is  no  deficiency  in  the  female  mind,  either  in 
talents  or  in  dilpolitions  -,  nor  can  we  fay  with  certainty 
that  there  is  any  fubjed  of  intellectual  or  moral  difcuf- 
fion  in  which  women  have  not  excelled.  If  the  deli- 
cacy of  their  conflicution,  and  other  phyfical  caufcs, 
allow  the  female  fex  a  fmaller  fliare  of  fome  menial 
powers,  they  poiTcfs  others  in  a  fuperior  degree,  which 
are  no  lefs  rcfpecftable  in  their  own  nature,  an.l  of  as 
great  importance  to  fociety.     Inftead  of  dcfcancing  at 

1  A  l^'c^ 


l86  THE    ILLUMINATI.  CHAP.   II. 

large  on  their  powers  of  mind,  and  fupporting  my  af- 
fertions  by  the  indances  of  a  Hypatia,  a  Schurman,  a 
Zenobia,  an  Elizabeth,  &c.  I  may  repeat  the  account 
given  of  the  fex  by  a  perfon  of  uncommon  experience, 
who  faw  them  without  difguife,  or  any  motive  that 
could  lead  them  to  play  a  feigned  part — Mr.  Ledyard, 
who  traverfed  the  greateft  part  of  the  world,  for  the 
mere  indulgence  of  his  tafte  for  obfervation  of  human 
nature  j  generally  in  want,  and  often  in  extreme  mi- 
fery. 

"■  I  have  (fays  he)  always  remarked  that  women, 
"  in  all  countries,  are  civil,  obliging,  tender,  and  hu- 
"  mane  :  that  they  are  ever  inclined  to  be  gay  and 
"  cheerful,  timorous  and  modeftj  and  that  they  do 
*^  not  hefitate,  like  men,  to  perform  a  kind  or  gene- 
"  rous  aftion. — Not  haughty,  not  arrogant,  not  fu- 
percilious,  they  are  full  of  courtefy,  and  fond  of  fo- 
ciety — more  liable  in  general  to  err  than  man,  but 
in  general,  alfo,  more  virtuous,  and  performing 
more  good  aftions  than  he.  To  a  woman,  whether 
'*  civilized  or  favage,  I  never  addrefied  myfelf  in  the 
"  language  of  decency  and  friendfliip — without  receiv- 
*'  ing  a  decent  and  friendly  anfwer — with  man  it  has 
"  often  been  otherwife. 

In  wandering  over  the  barren  plains  of  in- 
hofpitable  Denmark,  through  honeft  Sweden,  and 
frozen  Lapland,  rude  and  churlifh  Finland,  unprin- 
cipled Ruffia,  and  the  wide  fpread  regions  of  the  wan- 
dering Tartar, — if  hungry,  dry,  cold,  wet,  or  fick, 
the  women  have  ever  been  friendly  to  me,  and  uni- 
formly fo;  and  to  add  to  this  virtue,  (fo  worthy  of 
the  appellation  of  benevolence,)  thefe  aftions  have 
been  performed  in  fo  free  and  fo  kind  a  mannel*,  that 
"  if  I  was  thirity,  I  drank  the  fweetelt  draught,  and 
"  if  hungry,  I  ate  the  coarfe  meal  with  a  double 
"  reiifh." 

And 


(C 

cc 


cc 

(C 

tc 
ft 
it 
ii 
cc 

(C 

cc 


CHAP.   II.  THH    ILLUMINATI.  187 

And  thefc  are  they  whom  Weifliaupt  would  cor- 
rupt !  One  of  thefe,  whom  he  had  embraced  with 
fondnefs,  would  he  have  murdered,  to  fave  his  honour, 
and  qualify  himfelf  to  preach  virtue  !  But  let  us  not  be 
too  fevere  on  "Wcifhaupt — let  us  waih  ourfelves  clear 
of  all  (lain  before  we  think  of  reprobating  him.  Are 
"wc  not  guilty  in  feme  degree,  when  we  do  not  culti- 
vate in  the  women  thofe  powers  of  mind,  and  thofe 
difpofitions  of  heart,  which  would  equally  dignify  them 
in  every  ftation  as  in  thofe  humble  ranks  in  which  Mr. 
Ledyard  mofi:  frequently  faw  them  ?  1  cannot  think 
that  we  do  this.  They  are  not  only  to  grace  the  whole 
of  cultivated  fociety,  but  it  is  in  their  faithful  and  af- 
feftionate  perfonal  attachment  that  we  are  to  find  the 
fweeteft  pleafures  that  life  can  give.  Yet  in  all  thefe 
fituations  where  the  manner  in  which  they  are  treated 
is  not  didiated  by  the  flcrn  laws  of  neceffity,  are  they 
not  trained  up  for  mere  amufement — are  not  ferious 
occupations  confidered  as  a  tafk  which  hurts  their  love- 
linefs  ?  What  is  this  but  felfiilmefs,  or  as  if  they  had 
no  virtues  worth  cultivating?  T ht ir  bi(/i?ie/s  is  fuppofed 
to  be  the  ornamentino-  themfelves,  as  if  nature  did  not 
dictate  this  to  them  already,  with  at  leaft  as  much 
force  as  is  neceffary.  Every  thing  is  prefcribed  to 
them  hecauje  it  makes  them  more  lovely- — even  their  moral 
lefTons  are  enforced  by  this  argum.ent,  and  Mifs  Wool- 
ftoncraft  is  perfedly  right  when  fhc  fays  that  the  fine 
leffons  given  to  young  women  by  Fordyceor  Rouifeau 
are  nothing  but  fclfifh  and  refined  voluptuoufnefr,.  This 
advocate  of  her  fex  puts  her  fifcers  in  the  proper  point 
of  view,  when  fhe  tells  them  that  they  are,  like  man, 
the  fubjedts  of  God's  moral  government, — like  man, 
preparing  themfelves  for  boundlefs  improvement  in  a 
better  ftate  of  cxiftence.  Had  fhe  adhered  to  this  view 
of  the  matter,  and  kept  it  conftantly  in  fight,  her  book 
(which  doubtlefs  contains  many  excellent  things,  highly 

defe  rving 


l88  THE    ILLUMINATI.  CHAP.  H. 

deferving  of  their  ferioiis  confidcration)  would  have 
been  a  moft  valuable  work.     She  juftly  oblcrvcs,  that 
the  virtues  of  the  fex  are   great  and   refpedlable,   but 
that  in  our  mad  chace  of  plcafure,  only  piealure,  they 
are  little  thought  of  or  attended  to.      Mjh  trufts  to  his 
own  uncontroulable  power,  or  to  the  general  goodnefs 
of  the  fex,  that  their  virtues  will  appear  when  we  have 
occafion  for  them  ; — '*  but  we  will  fend  for  thefc  fome 
'^  other  time:" — Many  noble   difplays  do  they  make 
of  the   moft  difficult  attainments.     Such  is  the  patient 
bearing  up  under  misfortunes,  which  has  no  brilliancy 
to  fupport  it  in  the  effort.     This  is  more  difficult  than 
braving  danger  in  an  adlive  and  confpicuous   fituation. 
How  often  is  a  woman  left  with  a  family,  and  the  fliat- 
tered  remains  of  a  fortune,  loft  perhaps   by  diffipation 
or  by  indolence — and   how  feldom,   how  very  feldom, 
do  we  fee  woman  flirink  from  the  tafk,  or  difcharge  it 
with  negligence  ?  Is  it  not  therefore  folly  next  to  mad- 
nels,   not  to  be  careful  of  this  our  greatcft  bleffing — of 
things  which  fo   nearly  concern  our  peace — nor  guard 
ourkives,  and  thefe  our   beft  companions  and  friends, 
from  the   effefts  of  this   fiital  Tlluminacion  ?  It  has  in- 
deed brought   to   light  what  dreadful  lengths  men  will 
go,  when  under  the  fanatical  and  dazzling  glare  of  hap- 
pincfs  in  a  ftate  of  liberty  and  equality,  and  fpurred  on 
by  infaciablc  luxury,  and  not  hbld   in  check  by  moral 
feelings  and  the  reftraints  of  religion- — and  mark,  reader, 
that  the  women  have  here  alio  taken  the  complexion  ofthe 
men,  and  have  even  gone  beyond  them.   If  wehave  fcena 
fon  prefcnt  himfelf  to  the  National  Aflcmbly  of  France, 
profcffing  his   fatisfaftion  with  the  execution  of  his  fa- 
ther three  days  before,  and  declaring  himfelf  a  true 
citizen,  who  prefers  the  nation  to  all  other  confidera- 
tions  y  we  have  alfo  feen,  on  the  fame  day,  wives  de- 
nouncing their  hulbands,  and   (O  fliocking  to  human 
nature!)    mothers  denouncing   their  fons,   as  bad   ci- 
tizens 


CHAP.  II.  THE    ILLUMINATI.  189 

tizens  and  traitors.  Mark  too  what  return  the  women 
have  met  with  for  all  their  horrid  fervices,  where,  to 
cxprefs  their  fentiments  of  civilm  and  abhorrence  of 
royalty,  they  threw  away  the  charafter  of  their  fex, 
and  bit  the  amputated  limbs  of  their  murdered  coun- 
trymen*. Surely  thefe  patriotic  women  merited  that 
the  rights  of  their  fex  fhould  be  confidered  in  full  coun- 
cil, and  they  were  well  entitled  to  a  feat  ;  but  there  is 
not  a  fmglc  act  of  their  government  in  which  the  fex  is 
confidered  as  having  any  rights  whatever,  or  that  they 
are  things  to  be  cared  for. 

Arc  not  the  accurfed  fruits  of  Illumination  to  beTeen 
in  the  prefenthumiiiating  condition  of  woman  in  France? 
pampered  in  every  thing  that  can  reduce  them  to  the 
mere  inftruments  of  animal  pleafure.  In  their  prefent 
ftate  of  national  moderation  (as  they  call  it)  and  fe- 
curity,  fee  Madame  Tallien  come  into  the  public  thea- 
tre, accompanied  by  other  beautiful  women,  (I  was 
about  to  have  mifnamed  them  Ladies,)  laying  afide  all 
modefty,  and  prefenting  themfclves  to  the  public  view, 
with  bared  limbs,  a  la  Sauvage^  as  the  alluring  obje6ls 
ofdcfire.  I  make  no  doubt  but  that  this  is  a  ferious 
matter,  encouraged,  nay,  prompted  by  government. 
To  keep  the  minds  of  the  Parifians  in  the  prefent  fe- 
ver of  diflblute  gaiety,  they  are  at  more  expcnce  from 
the  national  treafury  for  the  fupportof  the  fixty  theatres, 
than  all  the  pcnfions  and  honorary  offices  in  Britain, 
three  times  told,  amount  to.  Was  not  their  abomina 
ble  farce  in  the  church  of  Notre  Dame  a  bate  of,  the 
fame  kind  in  the  true  Ipirit  of  Wcifliaupt's  Eroterivn  ? 

"  We 

*  I  fay  this  on  the  authority  of  a  young  gentleman,  an  emigrant, 
who  faw  it,  and  who  faid,  that  they  were  women,  not  of  the  dregs 
of  the  Palais  Royal,  nor  of  infamous  charafter,  but  well  drelfed. — I 
am  forry  to  add,  that  the  relation,  accompanied  with  looksof  hor- 
ror and  difgufl,  only  provoked  a  contemptuous  fmile  from  an  illumi- 
nated Britiih  Fair-one. 


IpO  THE    ILLUMINATI.  CHAP.    11. 

*■  We  do  notj"  faid  the  high  priefl:,  "  call  you  to  the 

*  woriliip  of  inanimate  idols.  Behold  a  mafter- piece 
'  of  nature,  (lifting  up  the  veil  which  concealed  the 
'  naked  charms   of  the    beautiful  Madmf.  Barbier)  : 

*  This  facred  image  fhould  inflame  all  hearts."  And 
it  did  fo  ;  the  people  fhouted  our,  ''  No  more  altarsj 
*'  no  more  priefts,  no  God  but  the  God  of  Nature." 

Orleans,  the  lirft  prince  of  the  blood,  did  not  fcruple 
to  proftitute  his  daughter,  if  not  to  the  embraces,  yet 
to  the  wanton  view  of  the  public,  with  the  precife  in- 
tention of  inflaming  their  defires.  (See  the  account 
given  of  the  dinners  at  Sillery's,  by  Camille  Defmou- 
lines,  in  his  fpeech  againft  the  Brifibtins.)  But  what 
will  be  the  end  of  all  this  ?  The  fondlings  of  the  weal- 
thy will  be  pampered  in  all  the  indulizcnces  which 
faftidious  voluptuoufnefs  finds  neceffary  for  varying  or 
enhancing  its  pleafures ;  but  they  will  either  be  flighted 
as  toys,  or  they  will  be  immured  ;  and  the  companions 
of  the  poor  will  be  drudges  and  flavcs. 

I  am  fully  perfuaded  that  it  was  the  enthufiaftic  ad- 
miration of  Grecian  democracy  that  recommended  to 
the  French  nation  the  drefs  a  la  Grecque,  which  exhibits 
not  the  elegant,  ornamented  beauty,  bur  the  alluring 
female,  fully  as  well  as  Madame  Tallien's  drefs  ^/« 
Sauvage.  It  was  no  doubt  v.'ith  the  fame  adherence  to 
Jerious  p-inctple^  that  Mademoifelle  Therouanne  was 
moll:  beautifully  d  re  {Ted  a  V  Avtiazcnne  on  the  5  th  of 
Oftober  1789,  when  flie  turned  the  heads  of  fo  many 
young  officers  of  the  regiments  at  Verfailles.  The 
Cythera,  the  homhmm  d'vvunqiie  voluptas,  at  the  cathe- 
dral of  Notre  Dame,  was  alfo  drefled  a  la  Grecque : 
There  is  a  moil  evident  and  characleriftic  change  in 
the  whole  fyftem  of  female  drefs  in  France.  The  Filles 
de  rOpera  always  gave  the  ton^  and  were  furely  withheld 
by  no  rigid  principle.  They  fometimes  produced 
very  extravagant  and  fanuftic  forms,  but  thefe  were 

almofl 


CHAP.  LI.  THE  "ILLUMINATl. 


191 


almoft  always  in  the  ftyle  of  the  higheil  ornament,  and 
they  trufled,  for  the  reft  of  the  impreflion  which  they 
wifhed  to  make,  to  the  fafcinaringexprcffion  of  elegant 
movements.  This  indeed  was  wonderful,  and  hardly 
conceivable  by  any  who  have  not  feen  a  grand  ballet 
performed  by  good  aftors.  I  have  filed  tears  of  the 
moft  fincere  and  tender  forrow  during  the  exhibition  of 
Antigone,  fet  to  mufic  by  Traecta,  and  performed  by 
Madame  Meilcour  and  S""^  Torclli,  and  Zantini.  I  can 
eafily  conceive  the  inipreflion  to  be  ftill  ftronger,  though, 
perhaps  of  another  kind,  when  the  former  fuperb  drcf- 
fes  are  changed  for  the  expreffive  fimplicity  of  the 
Grecian.  I  cannot  help  thinking  that  the  female  orna- 
ments in  the  reft  of  Europe,  and  even  among  ourfejves, 
have  lefs  elegance  fince  we  loft  the  fanftion  of  the 
French  court.  But  fee  how  all  this  will  terminate, 
when  we  fnall  have  brought  the  fex  to  low,  and  v/ill 
not  even  wait  for  a.  Mahometan  paradife.  What  can 
we  expefb  but  fuch  adifiblutenefs  of  manners,  that  the 
endearing  ties  of  relation  and  family,  and  m.utuai  con- 
fidence within  doors,  will  be  flighted,  and  will  ceafe  i 
and  every  man  muft  ftand  up  for  himfclf,  fmgle  and 
alone  ? 

Foscunda  culpa  f<:ecula  nupUas 
Primum  inquinaverey  et  genus y  et  demos. 
Hoc f ante  derivafa  clades 

Inpat}'iampopulumqueJluxit.     Hor.  iii.  6.  17. 

This  is  not  the  fuggeftion  of  prudifti  fear,  I  think  it  is 
the  natural  courfe  of  things,  and  that  France  is  at  this 
moment  giving  to  the  world  the  fulleft  proof  of 
Weifliaupt's  fagacity,  and  the  judgment  with  which  he 
has  formed  his  plans.  Can  it  tend  to  the  improvement 
of  our  morals  or  manners  to  have  our  ladies  frequent 
the  gymnaftic  theatres,  and  fee  them  decide,  like   the 

Roman 


192  THE   ILLUMINATI.  CRAP.   II. 

Roman  matrons,  on  the  merits  of  a  naked  gladiator  or 
wreQler  ?  Have  we  not  enough  of  this  already  with  our 
vaulters  and  poflure-mafters,  and  fhould  we  adrinirc 
any  lady  who  had  a  rage  for  fuch  fpe(5lacles  ?  Will  it 
improve  our  tafl:e  to  have  our  rooms  ornamented  with 
fuch  paintings  and  fculptures  as  filled  the  cenaculum, 
and  the  ftudy  of  the  refined  and  elegant  moralift  Ho- 
race, who  had  the  art — ridendo  dtcere  verum  ?  Shall 
we  be  improved  when  fuch  indulgences  arc  thought 
compatible  with  fuch  leffons  as  he  generally  gives  for 
the  condud  of  life  ?  The  pure  Morality  of  Illumina- 
tifm  IS  now  employed  in  ftripping  Italy  of  all  thofe  pre- 
cious remains  of  ancient  art  and  voluptuoufnefs  j  and 
Paris  will  ere  long  be  the  depofit  and  the  rcfort  of  ar- 
tifts  from  all  nations,  there  to  ftudy  the  works  of  an- 
cient maftcrs,  and  to  return  from  thence  panders  of 
public  corruption.  The  plan  is  mallerly,  and  the  low- 
born Statefmen  and  Generals  of  France  may  in  this  ref- 
pecl  be  fet  on  a  level  with  a  Colbert  or  a  Conde.  But 
the  confcqucnces  of  this  Gallic  dominion  over  the 
minds  of  fallen  man  will  be  as  dreadful  as  their  domi- 
nion over  their  lives  and  fortunes. 

Recoiled;  in  what  manner  Spartacus  propofed  to 
corrupt  his  fillers  (for  we  need  not  fpeak  of  the  manner 
in  which  he  expeded  that  this  would  promote  his  plan 
— this  is  abundantly  plain).  It  was  by  deftroying  their 
moral  fcntiments,  and  their  fentiments  of  religion.  Re- 
coiled: what  is  the  recommendation  that  the  Atheift 
Minos  gives  of  his  ftcp-daughters,  when  he  fpeaks  of 
them,  as  proper  perlons  for  the  Lodge  of  Sillers. 
*'  They  have  got  over  all  prejudices,  and,  in  matters 
*'  of  religion  they  think  as  I  do."  Thefe  profligates 
judged  rightly  that  this  affair  required  much  caution, 
and  that  the  utmofl  attention  to  decency,  and  even  de- 
licacy, mud  be  obft-rved  in  tiicir  rituals  and  ceremo- 
nies, otherwife  the  women  would  be   difgujlcd.     This 

was 


CHAP.   II.  THE    ILLUMINATI.  1 93 

was  judging  fairly  of  the  feelings  of  a  female  mind. 
But  they  judged  falfely,  and  only  according  to  their 
own  coarfe  experience,  when  they  attributed  their  dif- 
guft  and  their  fears  to  coynefs.  Coyncfs  is  indeed  the 
inftinftive  attribute  of  the  female.  In  woman  it  is  very 
great,  and  it  is  perhaps  the  genuine  fource  of  the  difguji 
of  which  the  Illuminati  were  fufpicious.  But  they  have 
been  dim-fighted  indeed,  or  very  unfortunate  in  their 
acquaintance,  if  they  never  obferved  any  other  fource 
of  repugnance  in  the  mind  of  woman  to  what  is  im- 
moral or  immodeft — if  they  did  not  fee  dillike — moral 
difapprobation.  Do  they  mean  to  infmuate,  that  in 
that  regard  which  modeft  women  exprefs  in  all  their 
words  and  a6lions,  for  what  every  one  underftands  by 
the  terms  decency,  modefty,  and  the  difapprobation 
of  every  thing  that  violates  thofc  feelings,  the  women 
only  fhow  female  coynefs  ?  Then  arc  they  very  blind 
inftrudors.  But  they  are  not  fo  blind.  The  accounc 
given  of  the  initiation  of  a  young  Sifter  at  Frankfort, 
under  the  feigned  name  Pjycharion^  lliows  the  moft 
fcrupulous  attention  to  the  moral  feelings  of  the  fex; 
and  the  confufion  and  difturbance  which,  after  all  their 
care,  it  occafioned  among  the  ladies,  fhows,  that  when 
they  thought  all  right  and  delicate,  they  had  been  but 
coarfe  judges.  Minos  damns  the  ladies  there,  becaufe 
they  are  too  free,  too  rich,  too  republican,  and  too 
wife,  for  being  led  about  by  the  nofc  (this  is  his  own 
expreflion).  But  Philo  certainly  thought  more  cor- 
re£bly  of  the  fex  in  general,  when  he  fays.  Truth  is  a 
modeft  girl :  She  may  be  handed  about  like  a  lady,  by 
good  fenfc  and  good  manners,  but  muft  not  be  bullied 
and  driven  about  like  a  ftrumpet.  I  would  here  inferi: 
the  difcourfes  or  addrefies  which  %vere  made  on  that 
occafion  to  the  different  clafTes  of  the  alTembly,  girls, 
young  ladies,  wives,  young  men,  and  ftrangers,  which 

*  2  B  are 


Ig4  "^^^    ILLUMINATI.  CHAP.  li. 

a'-e  really  ingenious  and  well  ccmpofed,  were  they  not 
fuch  as  would  oiFend  my  fair  countrywomen. 

The  religious  fentimcnrs  by  which  mortals  are  to  be 
aiTifted,  even  in  the  difcharge  of  their  moral  duties, 
and  ftill  more,  tlie  fentiments  which  are  purely  reli- 
gious, and  have  no  reference  to  any  thing  here,  arc 
precifcly  thofe  which  are  mod  eafily  excited  in  the 
mind  of  woman.  Affedlion,  admiration,  filial  reve- 
rence, are,  if  I  mitlake  not  exceedingly,  thofe  in 
which  the  women  far  furpafs  the  men ;  and  it  is  on, 
this  account  that  we  generally  find  them  fo  much  dif- 
pofed  to  devotion,  which  is  nothing  but  a  fort  of  fond 
indulgence  of  thofe  affedlions  without  limit  to  the  ima- 
gination. The  enraptured  devotee  pours  out  her  foul 
in  exprcfiions  of  thefe  feelings,  juil  as  a  fond  mother 
mixes  the  careffcs  given  to  her  child  with  the  moft  exr 
travagant  exprefiions  of  love.  The  devotee  even  en- 
deavours to  excite  higher  degrees  of  thefe  afFedlions, 
by  expatiating  on  fuch  circumftances  in  the  divine 
ccvndu6l  with  refpeft  to  man  as  naturally  awaken  themj 
and  he  does  this  without  any  fear  of  exceeding;  be- 
caufe  Infinite  Wifdom  and  Goodnefs  will  aUvays  juftify 
the  fentiment,  and  free  the  exprefiion  of  it  from  all 
charge  of  hyperbole  or  extravagance. 

I  am  convinced,  therefore,  that  the  female  mind  is 
utII  adapted  to  cultivation  bv  means  of  religion,  and 
that  their  native  foftnefs  and  kindnefs  of  heart  will  al- 
ways be  fufficicnt  for  procuring  it  a  faviiurable  recep- 
tion from  them.  It  is  therefore  with  double  regret 
that  I  fee  any  of  them  join  in  the  arrogant  pretenfions 
of  our  Illuminated  philofophers,  who  fee  no  need  of 
luch  alTillances  for  the  knowledge  and  difcharge  of 
their  duties.  There  is  nothing  lb  unlike  that  general 
modeily  of  thought,  and  that  diffidence,  which  we  are 
dif])ofed  to  think  the  charader  of  the  female  mind.     I 

am 


CHAP.   n.  THE    ILLUMINATI.  I95 

am  inclined  to  rhink,  that  fuch  deviations  from  the  2:c- 
neral  condudt  of  the  fex  are  marks  of  a  harflier  clia- 
rafler,  of  a  heart  that  has  Icfs  fcnfibiliryj  and  is  on  the 
whole  lefs  amiable  than  that  at  others.  "  Yet  k  muii: 
be  owned  that  there  are  fome  iuch  among  us.  IVluch, 
if  not  the  whole  of  this  perverfion,  has,  1  am  perfuad- 
ed,  been  owing  to  the  contagion  of  bad  exanjple  in 
the  men.  They  are  made  familiar  witii  fuch  expref- 
lions — their  firft  horror  is  gone,  and  (woiiid  to  heaven 
that  I  were  miflaken!)  fome  of  them  have  already 
wounded  their  conferences  to  fuch  a  degree,  that  they 
have  fome  reafon  to  wilh  that  religion  may  be  v/itho{;t 
foundation. 

But  I  would  call  upon  all,  and  fbefe  women  in  parti- 
cular, to  confider  this  m.atter  in  another  liffhr— as  it 
may  afFedt  thcmfclvcs  in  this  life  j  as  it  may  affe6t  their 
rank  and  treatment  in  ordinary  fociety.  J  would  fay 
to  them,  that  if  the  world  iLall  once  adopt  the  belief 
that  this  life  is  our  all,  then  the  true  maxim  of  rational 
conduft  will  be,  to  ''  eat  and  to  drink,  fince  to-moi- 
**  row  v.'e  are  to  die;"  and  that  when  they  have  no- 
thing to  trull  to  but  the  fondnefs  of  the  men,  they 
will  foon  find  themfelves  reduced  to  Qavery.  The 
crown  which  they  now  wear  wiil  fall  from  their  heads, 
and  they  will  no  longer  be  the  arbiters  of  what  is  lovely 
in  human  life.  The  empire  of  beauty  is  but  fliort  ^ 
and  even  in  republican  France,  it  will  not  be  many 
years  that  Madame  Tallien  can  fafcinate  the  Parifir.n 
Theatie  by  the  exiiibition  of  her  charms.  Man  is  uif- 
tidious  and  changeable,  he  is  the  ftronger  animal,  and 
can  always  take  his  own  will  witli  refpe6l  to  w,  man. 
At  prefent  he  is  with-held  by  refpeft  for  her  moral 
worth — and  many  are  with-held  by  religion — and  ma- 
ny more  are  with-held  by  public  laws,  which  laws 
were  framed  at  a  time  vvhcn  religious  truths  iniluf  need 

the 


196  THE    ILLUMINATI.  CHAP.  II. 

the  minds  and  the  condiift  of  men.  When  the  fenti- 
mentsof  men  change,  they  will  not  be  fo  foolifh  as  to 
keep  in  force  laws  which  cramp  their  ftrongeft  defires. 
Then  will  the  rich  have  their  Harems,  and  the  poor 
their  drudges. 

Nay,  it  is  not  merely  the  circumftance  of  woman's 
being  confidered  as  the  moral  companion  of  man  that 
gives  the  fex  its  empire  among  us.  There  is  fome- 
thinsr  of  this  to  be  obferved  in  all  nations.  Of  all  the 
diftinftions  which  fet  our  fpecies  above  the  other  fen- 
tient  inhabitants  of  this  globe,  making  us  as  unlike  to 
the  beft  of  them  as  they  are  to  a  piece  of  inanimate 
matter,  there  is  none  more  remarkable  than  the  differ- 
ences obfervable  in  the  appearances  of  thofe  defires  by 
which  the  race  is  continued.  As  I  obferved  already, 
fuch  a  diftindion  is  indifpenfably  neceflary.  There 
muft  be  a  moral  connexion,  in  order  that  the  human 
fpecies  may  be  a  race  of  rational  creatures,  improve- 
able,  not  only  by  the  increafmg  experience  of  the  in- 
dividual, but  alfo  by  the  heritable  experience  of  the 
fucceffive  generations.  It  may  be  obferved  between 
the  folitary  pairs  in  Labrador,  where  human  nature 
ftarves,  like  the  ftunted  oak  in  the  crevice  of  a  baron 
rock  J  and  it  is  feen  in  the  cultivated  focieties  of  Eu- 
rope, where  our  nature  in  a  feries  of  ages  becomes  a 
majeftic  tree.  Whatever  may  be  the  native  powers 
of  mind  in  the  poor  but  gentle  Efquimaux,  {he  can  do 
nothing  for  the  fpecies  but  nurfe  a  young  one,  who 
cannot  run  his  race  of  life  without  inceflant  and  hard 
labour  to  keep  foul  and  body  together — here  therefore 
her  ftation  in  fociety  can  hardly  have  a  name,  becaufe 
there  can  hardly  be  faid  to  be  any  aflbciation,  except 
what  is  necelTary  for  repelling  the  hoflile  attacks  of 
Indians,  who  feem  to  hunt  them  without  provocation 
as  the  dog  does  the  hare.     In  other  parts  of  the  world, 

we 


CHAP.   II.  THE    ILLUMINATI.  t^'] 

we  fee  that  the  confideration  in  which  the  fex  is  held, 
nearly  iollows  the  proportions  of  that  aggregate  of  ma- 
ny difFi-'renc  particulars,  which  we  confider  as  confti- 
tuting  the  cultivation  of  a  fociety.  We  may  perhaj^s 
err,  and  we  probably  do  err,  in  our  eftimation  of  thole 
degrees,  becaufe  we  are  not  perfectly  acquainted  with 
what  is  the  real  excellence  of  man.  But  as  far  as  we 
(:^»  judge  of  it,  I  believe  that  my  afiertion  is  acknow- 
ledged. On  this  authority,  I  might  pre  fume  to  lay, 
that  It  is  in  Chrillian  Europe  that  man  has  attained  his 
higheft  degree  of  cultivation— and  it  is  undoubtedly 
here  that  the  women  have  attained  the  higheft  rank. 
I  may  even  add,  that  it  is  in  that  part  of  Europe  where 
the  eflenciai  and  diftinguifhing  doctrines  of  Chriftian 
morality  are  moft  generally  acknowledged  and  attended 
to  by  the  laws  of  the  country,  that  woman  a6ts  the 
higheft  part  in  general  fociety.  But  here  we  muft  be 
very  careful  how  we  form  our  notion,  either  of  the 
fociety,  or  of  the  female  rank — it  is  furely  not  from 
the  two  or  three  dozens  who  fill  the  hisrheft  ranks  ia 
the  ftate.  Their  number  is  too  fmall,  and  their  fitu- 
ation  is  too  particular,  to  ?.fford  the  proper  average. 
Befides,  the  fituation  of  the  individuals  of  this  clafs  in 
all  countries  is  very  much  the  fame — and  in  all  it  is 
very  artificial — accordingly  their  character  is  fantafti- 
cal.  Nor  are  we  to  take  it  from  that  clafs  that  is  the 
moft  numerous  of  all,  the  loweft  clafs  of  fociety,  for 
thefe  are  the  labouring  poor,  whofe  condud:  and  oc- 
cupations are  fo  much  dictated  to  them  by  the  hard 
circumftances  of  their  fituation,  that  fcarcely  any  thing 
is  left  to  their  choice.  The  fituation  of  women  of  this 
clafs  muft  be  nearly  the  fame  in  all  nations.  But  this 
clafs  h  ftill  fufceptible  of  fome  variety — and  we  fee  ic 
— and  I  think  that  even  here  there  is  a  perceptible  fu- 
periority  of  the  female  rank  in  thofe  countries  where 


igS  THE    ILLUMINATI.  CHAP.   H. 

.the  purefl  Chrlftianity  prevails.'  We  muft  however 
take  our  mt^alures  or*  proportions  from  a  numerous 
clafs,  but  alfo  a  clafs  in  Ibmewhat  of  eafy  circum- 
ilances,  where  moral  fentiments  call  fome  attention, 
and  perfons  have  fome  choice  in  their  conduce.  And 
here,  although  I  cannot  pretend  to  have  had  many 
opportunities  of  obfervation,  yet  I  have  had  fome.  I 
can  venture  to  fay  that  it  is  not  in  Rtifiia,  nor  in 
Spain,  that  woman  is,  on  the  whole,  the  mod  im- 
portant as  a  member  of  the  community.  1  would 
fay,  that  in  Britain  her  important  rights  arc  more  ge- 
nerally rcfpcdted  tlian  any  where  elfe.  No  where  is 
a  man's  character  lb  much  hurt  by  conjugal  infide- 
lity— no  where  is  it  fo  difficult  to  rub  off  the  ftigma 
of  baftardy,  or  to  procure  a  decent  reception  or  ibci- 
ciety  for  an  improper  connection;  and  I  believe  ic 
will  readily  be  granted,  that  the  fiiare  of  the  women 
in  fuccelTions,  their  authority  in  all  matc^rs  of  domef- 
tic  truft,  and  even  their  opinions  in  what  concerns 
life  and  manners,  are  fully  more  refpedled  here  than 
in  any  country. 

I  have  long  been  of  the  opinion,  (and  every  obfer- 
vation tiiat  I  have  been  able  to  make  fince  I  hrll 
formed  it  confirms  me  in  it,)  that  woman  is  indebted 
to  Chriltianity  alone  for  the  high  rank  flie  holds  in 
fociety.  Look  into  the  writings*  of  antiquity — inta 
the  works  of  the  Greek  and  Latin  poets — into  the 
numberlefs  panegyrics  of  the  fex,  to  be  fo-Jiid  both 
in  profe  and  verfe — I  can  find  little,  very  little  in- 
deed, where  v;oman  is  treated  with  refped — there  is 
no  want  of  love,  that  is,  of  fondnefs,  of  beauty,  of 
charms,  of  graces.  But  of  woman  as  the  equal  of 
man,  as  a.  moral  companion,  travelling  with  him  the 
road  to  felicity — as  his  advifer — his  folace  in  misr'br- 
tLine — as  a  pattern  from   which   he   may  fometimes 

copy 


9HAP.  I!,  THE    ILLUMINATI.  Ip^ 

copy  with  advantage ; — of  all  this  there  is  hardly  a 
trace.  Woman  is  always  mentioned  as  an  objeft  of 
paflion.  Chafllty,  modefty,  fober-mindedncfs,  are.' 
all  confidered  in  relation  to  this  finglc  point ;  or  fome- 
times  as  of  importance  in  refpeft  of  economy  or  do- 
meftic  quiet.  Recollect  the  famous  fpeech  of  Metel- 
tellus  Numidicus  to  the  Roman  people,  when,  as, 
Cenfor,  he  was  recommending  marriage.. 

"  Si  fme  uxore  poiTemus  Quirites  efle,  omnes  ca 
"  moleftia  careremus.  Sed  quoniam  ita  natura  tradi- 
"  dit,  ut  nee  cum  illis  commode,  nee  fine  illis  ullo 
"  modo  vivi  poffet,  lakiti  perpetu^  potius  quam  brcvi 
*^  voluptati  confulendum." 

All:  Cell.  Noci,  Jit.  I.  6. 

What  does  Ovid,  the  great  panegyrift  of  the  fex, 
fay  for  his  beloved  daughter,  whom  he  had  praifcd 
for  her  attraftions  in  various  places  of  his  Triilia  and 
other  compoficions  ?  He  is  writing  her  Epitaph — and 
the  only  thing  he  can  fay  of  her  as  a  rational  creature 
is,  that  (he  was — Bomifuia — not  a  Gadabout. — Search 
Apuleius,  where  you  v;ill  find  many  female  chara6lers 
in  ahjlra^lc — You  will  find  that  his  little  Photis  (a 
cook -maid  and  firumpet)  was  neareft  to  his  heart,  af- 
ter all  his  philofophy.  Nay,  in  his  pretty  flory  of 
Cupid  and  Pfyche,  which  the  very  wife  will  tell  you 
is  a  fine  lelTon  of  moral  philofophy,  and  a  reprefenta- 
tion  of  the  operations  of  the  intelieftual  and  moral  fa- 
culties of  the  human  foul,  a  ftory  which  gave  him 
the  fined  opportunity,  nay,  almoft  made  it  necefiTary 
for  him  to  infert  whatever  can  ornament  the  female 
chara6ler;  what  is  his  Pfyche  but  a  beautiful,  fond, 
and  filly  girl ;  and  what  are  the  whole  fruits  of  any 
acquaintance  with  the  fex  ? — Pleafure.  But  why  take 
more  pains  in  the  fcaixh? — Look  at  their  immortal 

^gcdde  (Tes — 


aOO  THE    ILLUMINATI.  CHAP.  II. 

goddefles — is  there  one  among  them  vvhom  a  wife  man 
would  felccl  for  a  wife  or  a  friend  ? — I  grant  that  a 
Lucretia  is  praifcd — a  Portia,  an  Arria,  a  Zenobia — 
but  thcfc  are  individual  characlers — not  reprefentatives 
of  the  fcx.  The  only  Grecian  ladies  who  made  a 
figure  by  intellcdtual  talents,  were  your  Afpafias,  Sap- 
phos,  Phrynes,  and  other  nymphs  of  this  caft,  who 
had  emerged  from  the  general  infigniiicance  of  the  fex, 
by  throwing  away  what  we  are  accullomed  to  call  its 
greatefl  ornament. 

I  think  that  the  firft  piece  in  which  woman  is  pic- 
tured as  a  refpedable  character,  is  the  oidefb  novel 
that  I  am  acquainted  with,  written  by  a  Chriftian  Bi- 
fhop,  Hcliodorus — 1  mean  the  Adventures  of  Thea- 
genes  and  Chariclea.  I  think  that  the  Heroine  is  a 
greater  charac^ler  than  you  will  meet  with  in  all  the 
annals  of  antiquity.  And  it  is  worth  while  to  obferve 
what  was  the  effc(51:  of  this  painting.  The  poor  Bi- 
fhop  had  been  dcpofed,  and  even  excommunicated, 
for  doctrinal  errors,  and  for  drawing  fuch  a  pidlure  of 
a  heathen.  The  magiflrates  of  Antioch,  the  moil 
voluptuous  and  corrupted  city  of  the  Eaft,  wrote  to 
the  Emperor,  telling  him  that  this  book  had  reformed 
the  ladies  of  their  city,  where  Julian  the  Emperor  and 
his  Sophifls  had  formerly  preached  in  vain,  and  they 
therefore  prayed  that  the  good  Bifliop  might  not  be 
deprived  of  his  mitre. — It  is  true,  we  read  of  Hypatia, 
daughter  of  Theon,  the  mathematician  at  Alexandria, 
who  was  a  prodigy  of  excellence,  and  taught  philofo- 
phy,  i.  c.  the  art  of  leading  a  good  and  happy  life,  with 
great  applaufe  in  the  famous  Alexandrian  fchool. — 
But  file  alfo  was  in  the  times  of  Chriftianity,  and  was 
the  intimate  friend  of  Syncellus  and  other  Chriftian 
Bifhops. 

It 


CHAP.  II.  THE    ILLUMINATl.  201 

It  is  undoubtedly  Chriftianity  that  has  fet  woman  on 
her  throne,  making  her  in  every  refpeft  the  equal  of 
man,  bound  to  the  lame  duties,  and  candidate  for  the 
fame  happinefs.  Mark  how  woman  is  defcribed  by  a 
Chriftian  poet> 

-"  Yet  when  I  approach 


Her  lovelinefs,  fo  abfolute  ihe  feems, 
And  in  herfelf  compleLe,  fo  well  to  know 
Her  own,  that  what  flie  wills  to  do  or  fay 
Seems  vjife/fy  viftusufc:/},  difcreetej}^  bejl. 

Neither  her  outfide,  form'd  fo  fair^ 

So  much  delights  me,  as  thofi  graceful  a£is, 
Thofe  thoufand  decencies  that  daily  flow 
From  all  her  words  and  aftlons,  mix'd  with  love 
And  fweet  compliance,  which  declare  unfeign'd 
Union  of  mind ^  or  in  us  both  one  foul. 

-And,  to  confummate  all, 


Greatnefs  ofniind^  and  nohlenefs^  their  feat 
Build  in  her  lovelieft,  and  create  an  avje 
About  her^  as  a  guard  angelic  flacdP 


M 


ILTON. 


This  is  really  moral  painting,  without  any  abatement 
of  female  charms. 

This  is  the  natural  confequence  of  that  purity  of 
heart,  which  is  fo  much  infiiled  on  in  the  Chriftian  mo- 
rality. In  the  inftruftions  of  the  heathen  philofophers, 
it  is  cither  not  mentioned  at  all,  or  at  moft,  it  is  recom- 
mended coldly,  as  a  thing  proper,  and  worthy  of  a  mind 
attentive  to  great  things. — But,  in  Chriftianity,  it  is 
infifted  on  as  an  indifpenfable  duty,  and  enforced  by 
many  arguments  peculiar  to  itfelf 

It  is  worthy  of  obfervation,  that  the  moft  prominent 
fuperftitions  which  have  difhonoured  the  Chriftian 
churches,  have  been  the  excelllve  refinements  which 

*  2  C  the 


202  THE  ILLUMINATI.  CHAP.  II. 

the  cnthufiafliic  admiration  of  heroic  purity  has  allow- 
ed the  holy  trade  to  introduce  into  the  manufa6lure  of 
our  fpiritual  fetters.  Without  this  cnthufiafm,  cold 
expediency  would  not  have  been  able  to  make  the  Mo- 
nallic  vow  fo  general,  nor  have  given  us  fuch  numbers 
of  convents.  Tliefe  were  generally  founded  by  fuch 
enthufiafts — the  rulers  indeed  of  the  church  encouraged 
this  to  the  utmofl,  as  the  beft  levy  for  the  fpiritual 
power — but  they  could  not  enjoin  fuch  foundations. 
From  the  fame  fource  we  may  derive  the  chief  influ- 
ence of  auricular  confefTion.  When  thefc  were  firmly 
eftabliflied,  and  were  venerated,  almoft  all  the  other 
coriupLior)s  of  Chriftianity  followed  of  courfe.  I  may 
almoft  add,  that  though  it  is  here  that  Chriftianity  has 
buffered  the  moft  violent  attacks,  it  is  here  that  the 
place  is  moft  tenable. — Nothing  tends  fo  much  to  knit 
a]l  the  ties  of  fociety  as  the  endearing  connexions  of 
family,  and  whatever  tends  to  leflen  our  veneration  for 
the  marriaee-contrael,  weakens  them  in  the  moft  cfFec- 
tual  manner.  Purity  of  manners  is  the  moft  effeftual 
fupporr,  and  pure  thoughts  are  the  only  fources  from 
which  pure  manners  can  flow.  I  readily  grant  that  in 
former  times  this  veneration  for  perfonal  purity  was 
carried  to  an  extravagant  height,  and  that  feveral  very 
ridiculous  fancies  and  cuftoms  arofe  from  this.  Ro- 
mantic love  and  chivalry  are  ftrong  inftances  of  the 
ftrange  vagaries  of  our  imagination,  when  carried  along 
by  this  enthufiaftic  admiration  of  female  purity  ;  and 
fo  unnatural  and  forced,  that  they  could  only  be  tem- 
porary fafliions.  But  I  believe  that,  with  all  their  ri- 
dicule, it  would  be  a  happy  nation  where  this  was  the 
general  creed  and  pradlice.  Nor  can  I  help  thinking 
a  nation  on  its  decline,  when  the  domeftic  connections 
ceafe  to  be  venerated,  and  the  illegitimate  offspring  of 
a  nabob  or  a  nobleman  are  received  with  eafe  into  goocj 
company, 

Nothing 


CHAP.  II.  THE  ILLUMINATI.  20^ 

Nothing  is  more  clear  than  that  the  defign  of  the  II* 
luminati  was  to  abolifh  Chriftianity— and  we  now  Ice 
how  efFeftuai  this  would  be  for  the  corruption  of  tlie 
fair  fex,  a  piirpofe  which  they  eagerly  wished  to  gain^ 
that  they  might  corrupt  the  men.  But  if  the  women 
would  retain  the  rank  they  nov/  hold,  they  will  be 
careful  to  preferve  in  full  force  on  their  minds  this  re- 
ligion, fo  congenial  to  their  difpofitions,  which  nature 
has  made  affeftionate  and  kind. 

And  with  refped  to  the  men,  is  it  not  egregious 
folly  to  encourage  any  thing  that  can  tend  to  blaft  our 
fweeteft  enjoyments  ?  Shall  we  not  do  this  moft  effec- 
tually if  we  attempt  to  corrupt  what  nature  will  always 
make  us  confider  as  the  higheft  elegance  of  life  ?  The 
divinity  of  the  Stoics  was,  **  Mensjana  in  corporefano,'^ 
!— ^but  it  is  equally  true, 

*'  Gratior  eji  pulchro  veniens  e  corpore  virtus.^* 

If,  therefore,  inftead  of  profcffedly  tainting  what  is  of 
itfelf  beautiful,  we  could  really  work  it  up  to 

*'  That  fair  form,  which,  wove  in  fancy's  loom, 
*'  Floats  in  light  vifions  round  the  poet's  head," 

and  make  woman  a  patrern  of  perfection,  we  fliould 
undoubtedly  add  more  to  the  heartfelt  happinefs  of  life 
than  by  all  the  difcoveries  of  the  Illuminati.  Seewkat 
was  the  effeft  of  Theagenes  and  Chariclea. 

And  we  fhould  remember  that  with  the  fate  of  wo- 
man that  of  man  is  indiffolubly  knit.     The  voice  of 
nature  fpoke  through  our  immortal  bard,  when  he  made 
Adam  fay, 

"  From  thy  ftate 

^*  Mine  never  ftall  be  parted,  blifs  or  woe." 

Should 


i04.  tPiE    ILLUMINATI.  tHAP.  11. 

Should  wc  fufFer  the  contagion  to  touch  our  fair  part- 
ner, all  is  gone,  and  too  late  fhall  we  fayj 

"  O  faireft  of  creation  I  laft  and  beft 

*'  Of  all  God's  works,  creature  in  whom  excell'd 

"  Whatever  can  to  light  or  thought  be  form'd, 

*'  Holy^  divine^  good,  amiable,  orfweet  I 

"  How  art  thou  lolt,— ^and  now  to  death  devote? 

*'  And  7ne  with  thee  haft  ruin'd;  for  with  thee 

"  Certain  my  refolution  is  to  die." 


i  197  ] 

CHAP.    III. 

The  German  Union, 


w 


HEN  fuch  a  fermentation  had  been  ex- 
cited in  the  public  mind,  it  cannot  be  fuppofed  that 
the  formal  fuppreflion  of  the  Order  of  the  Illumi- 
nati  in  Bavaria,  and  in  the  Duchy  of  Wirtemberg, 
by  the  reigning  princes,  would  bring  all  to  reft  again. 
By  no  means.  The  minds  of  men  were  predifpof- 
ed  for  a  change  by  the  reftlefs  fpirit  of  fpeculation 
in  every  kind  of  enquiry,  and  the  leaven  had  been 
carefully  and  fkilfully  difteminated  in  every  quarter 
of  the  empire,  and  even  in  foreign  countries.  Weif- 
haupt  faid,  on  good  grounds,  that  *'  if  the  Order 
fhould  be  difcovered  and  fupprefled,  he  would  re- 
ftorc  it  with  tenfold  energy  in  a  twelvemonth."  Even 
in  thofe  ftates  where  it  was  formally  aboliftied,  no- 
thing could  hinder  the  enlifting  new  members,  and 
carrying  on  all  the  purpofes  of  the  Order.  The 
Areopagitae  might  indeed  be  changed,  and  the  feat 
of  the  direflion  transferred  to  fome  other  place,  but 
the  Minerval  and  his  Mentor  could  meet  as  former- 
ly, and  a  ride  of  a  few  miles  into  another  State, 
would  bring  him  to  a  Lodge,  where  the  young  would 
be  amufed,  and  the  more  advanced  would  be  engag- 
ed in  ferious  mifchief.  Weifliaupt  never  liked  chil- 
dren's play.  He  indulged  Philo  in  it,  becaufe  he 
faw  him  taken  with  fuch  rattles :  but  his  own  pro- 
jeds  were  dark  and  folemn,  and  it  was  a  relief  to 
him  now  to  be  freed  from  that  mummery.  He  foon 
found  the  bent  of  the  perfon's  mind  on  whom  he 
had  fet  his  talons,  and,  he  fays,  that  "  no  man  ever 
efcaped  him  whom  he  thought  it  worth  while  to  fe- 
cure."     He  had  already  filled  the  lifts  with  enough 

2B  of 


198  THE  GERMAN  UNION.        CHAP.  ill. 

of  the  young  and  gay,  and  when  the  prefent  condition 
of  the  Order  required  fly  and  experienced  heads,  he 
no  longer  courted  them  by  play-things.  He  Cvommu- 
nicated  the  ranks  and  the  inilrudions  by  a  letter, 
without  any  ceremony.  The  correfpondence  with 
Philo  at  the  time  of  the  breach  with  him,  Ihews  the 
fuperiority  of  Spartacus.  Philo  is  in  a  rage,  provok- 
ed to  find  a  pitiful  profeflbr  difcontented  with  the 
immenfe  fervices  which  he  had  received  from  a  gen- 
tleman of  his  rank,  and  treating  him  with  authority, 
and  with  dilingenuity. — He  tells  Spartacus  what  Hill 
greater  fervices  hs  can  do  the  Order,  and  that  he  can 
alforuin  it  with  a  breath. — But  in  the  midfl  of  this 
rage,  he  propofes  a  thouland  modes  of  reconcile- 
ment. The  fmalleft  concellion  would  make  him 
hug  Spartacus  in  his  arms.  But  Spartacus  is  deaf  to 
all  his  threats,  and  firm  as  a  rock.  Though  he  is  con- 
fcious  of  his  own  vile  condu*fl,  he  abates  not  in  the 
fmallefi;  point,  his  abfolute  authority^requires  the 
mod;  implicit  fubmiffion,  which  he  fays  *'  is  due  not 
to  him,  but  to  the  Order,  and  without  which  the 
Order  mufl:  immediately  goto  ruin." — He  does  not 
even  deign  to  challenge  Philo  to  do  his  worft,  but 
allows  him  to  go  out  of  the  Order  without  one  angry 
word.  This  Ihows  his  confidence  in  the  energy  of 
that  fpirit  of  refilefs  difcontent,  and  that  hankering 
after  reform  which  he  had  fo  fuccefsfully  fpread  a- 
broad. 

This  had  indeed  arifen  to  an  unparalleled  height, 
unexpected  even  by  the  feditious  themfelves.  This 
appeared  in  a  remarkable  manner  by  the  reception 
given  to  the  infamous  letters  on  the  conrtitution  of 
the  Pruflfian  States. 

The  general  opinion  was,  that  Mirabeau  was  the 
author  of  the  letters  themfelves,  and  it  was  perfedly 
underflood  by  every  perfon,  that  the  tranflaiion  into 
French  was  a  joint  contrivance  of  Mirabeau  and  Ni- 

cholai. 


OMAr.   ill.  THE    GERMAN    UNION.  1 99 

choiai.  I  was  affuredof  this  by  the  Britifh  Minifter 
at  that  Court.  There  are  fome  blunders  in  refped 
of  names,  which  an  inhabitant  of  the  country  could 
hardly  be  guilty  of,  but  are  very  confident  with  the 
felf-conceit  and  precipitancy  of  this  Frenchman  — 
There  are  feveral  in  fiances  of  the  fame  kind  in  two 
pieces,  which  are  known  for  certain  to  be  his,  viz. 
the  Chronique  Jcandaleuje  and  the  Hifioire  fecrette  de 
la  Cour  de  B^Tlin.  Thefe  letters  were  in  every  hand, 
and  were  rrientioned  in  every  converfation,  even  in 
the  PrulTian  dominions — and  in  other  places  of  the 
empire  they  were  quoted,  and  praifed,  and  com- 
mented on,  although  fome  of  their  contents  were 
nothing  (liort  of  rebellion. 

Mirabeau  had  a  large  portion  of  that  felf-conceit 
which  diitinguifhes  his  countrymen.  He  thought 
himfeif  qualified  not  only  for  any  high  office  in  ad- 
minillration,  but  even  for  managing  the  whole  af- 
fairs of  the  new  King.  He  therefore  endeavoured 
to  obtain  fome  pofl:  of  honour.  But  he  was  difap- 
pointed,  and,  in  revenge,  did  every  thing  in  his 
power  to  make  thofe  in  adminiftration  the  objeds  of 
public  ridicule  and  reproach.  His  licentious  antl 
profligate  manners  were  fuch  as  excluded  him  from 
the  fociety  of  the  people  of  the  firfl:  clafles,  whom 
it  behoved  to  pay  fome  attention  to  perfonal  digni- 
ty. His  opinions  were  in  the  highefl:  degree  cor- 
rupted, and  he  openly  profefled  Atheifm.  This 
made  him  peculiarly  obnoxious  to  the  King,  who  was 
determined  to  correcfl  the  diflurbances  and  difquiets 
which  had  arifen  in  the  Pruffian  flates  from  the  in- 
difl'erence  of  his  predeceflbr  in  thofe  matters.  Mi- 
rabeau therefore  attached  himfeif  to  a  junto  of  wri- 
ters and  fcribblers,  who  had  united  in  order  to  dif- 
leminate  licentious  principles,  both  in  refped  of  re- 
ligion and  of  government.  His  wit  and  fancy  were 
great,  and  he  had  not  perhaps  his  equal  for  eloquent 

and 


200  THE    GERMAN    UNION.  CHAP,  ill, 

and  biting  fatire.  He  was  therefore  careffed  by 
thofe  writers  as  a  moft  valuable  acquifition  to  their 
Society.  He  took  all  this  deference  as  his  jiift  due  ; 
and  was  fo  confident  in  his  powers,  and  fo  foolifli, 
as  to  advife,  and  even  to  admonifti,  the  King. 
Highly  obnoxious  by  fuch  conduct,  he  was  excluded 
from  any  chance  of  preferment,  and  was  exceeding- 
ly out  of  humour.  In  this  ftate  of  mind  he  was  in 
a  fit  frame  for  Illumination.  Spartacus  had  been 
eyeing  him  for  fome  time,  and  at  lafl:  communicated 
this  honour  to  him  through  the  intermedium  of  Mau- 
villon,  another  Frenchman,  Lieutenant-Colonel  in 
the  ferviceof  the  Duke  of  Brunfwick.  This  perfon 
had  been  moft  adive  during  the  formal  exiftence  of 
the  Order,  and  had  contributed  much  to  its  recep- 
tion in  the  Proteftant  ftates — he  remained  long  con- 
cealed. Indeed  his  Illumination  was  not  knowij  till 
the  invafion  of  Holland  by  the  French.  Mauvillon 
then  ftepped  forth,  avowed  his  principles,  and  re- 
commended the  example  of  the  French  to  the  Ger- 
mans. This  encouragement  brought  even  Philo 
again  on  the  ftage,  notwithftanding  his  refentment 
againft  Spartacus,  and  his  folemn  declaration  of  hav- 
ing abjured  all  fuch  focieties. — Thefe,  and  a  thou- 
fand  fuch  fads,  fhow  that  the  feeds  of  licentious 
Cofmopolitifm  had  taken  deep  root,  and  that  cut- 
ting down  the  crop  had  by  no  means  deftroyed  the 
baneful  plant. — But  this  is  not  all — a  new  method  of 
cultivation  had  been  invented,  and  immediatelv 
adopted,  and  it  was  now  growing  over  all  Europe  in 
another  form. 

I  have  already  taken  notice  of  the  general  perver- 
fion  of  the  public  mind  which  co-operated  with  the 
fchifms  of  Free  Mafonry  in  procuring  a  liftening 
ear  to  Spartacus  and  his  aflfociates.  It  will  not  be 
doubted  but  that  the  machinations  of  the  Illuminati 
increafed  this,  even  among  thofe  who  did  not  enter 

into 


CHAP,   111.  THE    GERMAN    UNION.  <20l 

Into  the  Order.  It  was  eafier  to  diminfh  the  refpetfl 
for  civil  eftablifhments  in  Germany  than  in  almoft 
any  other  country.  The  frivolity  of  the  ranks  and 
court-offices  in  the  different  confederated  petty  Ibtes 
made  it  impofTible  to  combine  dignity  with  the  ha- 
bits of  a  fcanty  income. — It  was  ff  ill  eafier  to  expofe 
to  ridicule  and  reproach  thofe  numberlefs  abufes 
which  the  folly  and  the  vices  of  men  had  introdu- 
ced into  religion.  The  influence  on  the  public  mind 
which  naturally  attaches  to  the  venerable  office  of  a 
moral  inflrudor,  was  prodigioufly  diminifhed  by  the 
continual  difputes  of  the  Catholics  and  Proteflants, 
which  were  carried  on  with  great  heat  in  every  little 
principality.  The  freedom  of  enquiry,  which  was 
fupporled  by  the  ftate  in  Proteftant  Germany,  was 
terribly  abufed,  (for  what  will  the  folly  of  man  not 
abufe?)  and  degenerated  into  a  wanton  licentiouf- 
nefs  of  thought,  and  a  rage  for  fpeculation  and  fcep- 
ticifm  on  every  fubjedf  whatever.  The  ftruggle, 
which  was  originally  between  the  Catholics  and  the 
Proteflants,  had  changed,  during  the  gradual  progrefs 
of  luxury  and  immorality,  into  a  conteft  between 
reafon  and  fuperflition.  And  in  this  conteft  the 
denomination  of  fuperftition  had  been  gradually  ex- 
tended to  every  dodlrine  which  profefled  to  be  of 
divine  revelation,  and  reafon  was  declared  to  be,  for 
certain,  the  only  way  in  which  the  Deity  can  inform 
the  human  mind. 

Some  refpedable  Catholics  had  publifhed  works 
filled  with  liberal  fentiments,  Thefe  were  repre- 
fented  as  villainous  machinations  to  inveigle  Protef- 
tants.  On  the  other  hand,  fome  Proteftant  divines 
had  propofed  to  imitate  this  liberality  by  making  con- 
ceffions  which  might  enable  a  good  Catholic  to  live 
more  at  eafe  among  the  Proteftants,  and  might  even 
accelerate  an  union  of  faiths.  This  was  hoot*d  be- 
yond meafure,   as  Jefuitical,  and  big  with  danger. 

While 


202  THE  GERMAN  UNION.        CHAP.  111. 

While  the  fceptical  junto,  headed  by  the  editors  of 
tlie  Deutfche  Bibliothek  and  the  Berlin  Monatfchrift^ 
were  recommending  ev^ry  performance  thatwashof- 
tJleto  the  eftabliOied  faith  of  the  country,  Leuchtfen- 
ring  was  equally  bufy,  finding  Jefuits  in  every  corner, 
and  went  about  with  all  the  inquietude  of  a  madman, 
picking  up  anecdotes.  Zimmerman,  the  refpecftable 
phyfician  of  Frederick  King  of  PrufTia,  gives  a  di- 
verting account  of  a  vifit  which  he  had  from  Leucht- 
fenring  ?t  Hanover,  all  trembling  with  fears  of  Je- 
fuits, and  wifliing  to  perfuade  him  that  his  life  was 
in  danger  from  them.  Nicholai  was  now  on  the 
hunt,  and  during  this  crufade  Philo  laid  hands  on 
him,  being  introduced  to  his  acquaintance  by  Leucht- 
fenring,  who  was,  by  this  time,  cured  of  his  zeal  for 
Protellanilm,  and  had  become  a  difciole  of  Illumi- 
natifm.  Philo  had  gained  his  good  opinion  by  the  vi- 
olent attack  which  be  had  publifhed  on  the  Jefuits  and 
Rofycrucians  by  the  orders  of  Spartacus. — He  had 
not  tar  to  go  in  gaining  over  Nicholai,  who  was  at 
this  time  making  a  tour  through  the  Lodges.  The 
fparks  of  Illumination  which  he  perceived  in  many 
of  them  pleafed  him  exceedingly,  and  he  very  cheer- 
fully received  the  precious  fecret  from  Philo. 

This  acquifitlon  to  the  Order  was  made  in  Janua- 
ry 1782.  Spartacus  was  delighted  with  it,  confider- 
ed  Nicholai  as  a  moft  excellent  champion,  and  gave 
him  the  name  of  Liician^  the  great  fcoffer  at  all  reli- 
gion, as  aptly  expiefling  his  character. 

Nicholai,  on  his  return  to  Berlin,  publifhed  many 
volumes  ot  his  difcoveries.  One  would  imagine 
ihat  net  a  Jefuit  had  efcaped  him.  He  mentions 
many  fl range  fchifmatics,  both  in  religion  and  in 
AJafonry — But  he  never  once  mentions  an  llluinina- 
ttis. — When  they  u-ere  firfl:  checked,  and  before  the 
difcovery  of  the  fecret  correfpondence,  he  defended 
them,  and  ilrougly  reprobated  the  proceedings  of  the 

Eledor 


CHAP.  iii.  THE    GERMAN    UNION*  20^ 

Eledor  of  Bavaria,  calling  it  vile  perfecution. — 
Nay,  after  the  difcovery  of  the  letters  found  in 
Zwack's  houfe,  he  perfided  in  his  defence,  vindica- 
ted the  poireflion  of  the  abominable  receipts,  and 
highly  extolled  the  charadler  of  Weifliaupt. — But 
when  the  difcovery  of  papers  in  the  houfe  of  Batz 
informed  the  public  that  he  himfelf  had  long  been 
an  Illuminatus^  he  was  fadly  put  to  it  to  reconcile  his 

defence   with    any    pretenfions    to   religion*. 

Weifliaupt  faved  him  from  difgrace,  as  he  thought, 
by  his  publication  of  the  fyllem  of  Illuminatifm — 
Nicholai  then  boldly  faid  that  he  knew  no  more  of 
the  Order  than  was  contained  in  that  book,  that  is^ 
only  the  two  firfl:  degrees. 

But  before  this,  Nicholai  had  made  to  himfelf  a 
iHoft  formidable  enemy.  The  hiilory  of  this  covx- 
teil:  is  curious  in  itfelf,  and  gives  us  a  very  inflruiftive 
pidure  of  the  machinations  of  that  conjuration  des 
philofopbes^  or  gang  of  icribblers  who  were  leagued 
againfl:  the  peace  of  the  world.  The  reader  will 
therefore  find  it  to  our  purpofe.  On  the  authority 
of  a  lady  in  Courland,  a  Qountefs  von  der  Recke, 
Nicholai  had  accufed  Dr.  Stark  of  Darmfladt  (who 
made  fuch  a  figure  in  Free  Mafonry)  of  Jefuitifm, 
and  of  having  even  fubmicted  to  the  tonfure.  Stark 
vras  a  moft  reftlefs  fpirif — had  gone  through  every 
myrtery  in  Germany,  Illuminatifm  excepted,  and 
had  ferreted  out  many  of  Nicholai's  hidden  tranlac- 

*  He  impudently  pretended  that  the  papers  containing  the 
fyftem  and  doctrines  of  Illuminatifm,  came  to  him  at  Berlin,  from 
an  unknown  hand.  But  no  one  believed  him — it  was  inconfillent 
with  what  is  faid  of  him  in  the  fccret  correfpondence.  He  had 
faid  the  fame  thing  concerning  the  French  tranflation  of  the  Let- 
ters on  the  Conilitution  of  the  Pruflian  Skates.  Fifty  copies  were 
found  in  his  ware-houfe.  He  faid  that  they  had  been  fent  from  Straf- 
burg,  and  that  he  had  never  fold  one  of  them. — Suppofing  both 
thefe  aflertions  to  be  true,  it  appears  that  Nicholai  was  conlidered 
as  a  very  proper  hand  for  difperfing  tuch  poifon. 

tions. 


204  THE  GERMAN  UNION.        CHAP.  Ill, 

tions.  He  was  alfo  an  unwearied  book-maker,  and 
dealt  oat  thefe  dil'coveries  by  degrees,  keeping  the 
eye  of  the  public  continually  upon  Nicholai.  He 
iiad  fufpecled  his  Illumination  tor  fome  time  paft, 
and  when  the  fecret  came  out,  by  Spartacus'  letter, 
where  he  boalls  of  his  acquifuion,  calling  Nicholai 
a  moll  flmdy  combatant,  and  faying  that  he  was 
content iU'nnus^  Stark  left  no  flone  unturned  till  he 
difcovered  that  Nicholai  had  been  initiated  in  all  the 
horrid  and  moil  profligate  myfteries  of  lUuminatifm, 
and  that  Spartacus  had  at  the  very  firfl  entrufted  him 
with  his  moll  darling  fecrets,  and  advifed  with  him 
on  many  occalions*. 

This  complete  blafling  of  his  moral  chara6ler 
could  not  be  patiently  borne,  and  Nicholai  was  in 
his  turn  the  bitter  enemy  of  Stark,  and,  in  the  pa- 

.  *  Of  this  we  have  complete  proof  in  the  private  correfpond- 
cnce.  Philo,  fpcaking  in  one  of  his  letters  of  the  gradual  change 
which  was  to  be  produced  in  the  minds  of  their  pupils  from  Chrifti- 
anity  to  Deifm,  fays,  "  Nicholai  informs  me,  that  even  the  pious 
"  Zollikofer  has  now  been  convinced  that  it  would  be  proper  to  fet 
**  up  a  deiftical  church  in  Berlin."  It  is  in  vain  that  Nicholai 
fays  that  his  knowledge  of  the  Order  was  only  of  what  Weifhaupt 
had  publifhed  ;  for  Philo  fays  that  that  corre6led  fyftem  had  not 
been  introduced  into  it  when  he  quitted  it  in  1 784.  But  Nicholai 
deferves  no  credit — he  is  one  of  the  moft  fcandalous  examples  of 
the  operation  of  the  principles  of  Weifhaupt.  He  procured  ad- 
miflion  into  the  Lodges  of  Free  Mafons  and  Rofycrucians,  merely 
to  aft  the  difhonourable  part  of  a  fpy,  and  he  betrayed  their  fecrets 
as  far  as  he  could.  In  the  appendix  to  the  7th  volume  of  his 
journey,  he  declaims  againft  the  Templar  Mafons,  Rofycrucians, 
and  Jefiiits,  for  their  blind  fubmiflion  to  unknown  fuperiors,  for 
their  fuperftltions,  their  priefthoods,  and  their  bafe  principles- — and 
yet  had  becH  five  years  in  a  fsciety  in  which  all  thefe  were  carried 
to  the  greateft  height.  He  remains  true  to  the  lUuminati  alone, 
becaufc  they  had  the  fame  objeft  in  view  with  himfclf  and  his 
atheilb'cal  alTociatcs,  His  defence  of  Proteftantifm  is  all  a  cheat ; 
and  perhaps  he  may  be  confidered  as  an  enemy  equally  formidable 
with  Weilhaupt  himfelf.  This  is  the  reafon  why  he  occupies  fo 
many  of  thefe  pages. 

roxyfms 


t  •  • 


CHAP.    111.  THE    GERMAN    UNION.  205 

ioxyfms  of  his  anger,  publifhed  every  idle  tale,  al- 
though he  was  often  obliged  to  contradiA  them  in  the 
next  Review.  In  the  courfe  of  this  attack  and  de- 
fence. Dr.  Stark  dilcovered  the  revival  of  the  Illu- 
minati,  or  at  leafl  a  ibciety  which  carried  on  the 
fame  great  work  in  a  fomewhat  different  way. 

Dr.  Stark  had  written  a  defence  againfl:  one  of  Ni- 
cholas's accufations,  and  wifhed  to  have  it  printed  at 
Leipzig.  He  therefore  fent  the  manufcript  to  a 
friend,  who  refided  there.  This  friend  immediate- 
ly propofed  it  to  a  mod  improper  perfon,  Mr.  Pott, 
who  had  written  an  anonymous  commentary  on  the 
King  of  Pruflia's  edidl  for  the  uniformity  of  religious 
worlhip  in  his  dominions.  This  is  one  of  the  molt 
fhamelefs  attacks  on  the  efiablifhed  faith  of  the  na- 
tion, and  the  authority  and  condud^  of  the  Prince, 
that  can  be  imagined;  Stark's  friend  was  ignorant 
of  this,  and  fpoke  to  Pott,  as  the  partner  of  the 
great  publifher  Walther.  They,  without  hefitation, 
undertook  the  publifhing  ;  but  when  fix  weeks  had 
paffed  over,  Stark's  friend  found  that  it  Vv^as  not  be- 
gun. Some  exceptionable  paffages,  which  treated 
with  difrefped  the  religion  of  Reafcn,  were  given 
as  the  caufe  of  delay  ;  and  he  was  told  that  ths  au- 
thor had  been  written  to  about  them,  but  had  not  yet 
returned  an  anfwer.  This  v/as  afterwards  found  to 
be  falfe.  Then  a  pafTage  in  the  preface  was  objedl- 
ed  to,  as  treating  roughly  a  lady  in  Courland,  which 
Walther  could  not  print,  becaufe  he  had  connedions 
with  that  court.  The  author  mult  be  entreated  to 
change  his  expreffions.  After  another  delay,  paper 
was  wanting.  The  MS.  was  withdrawn.  Walther 
now  faid  that  he  would  print  it  immediately,  and 
again  got  it  into  his  hands^  prorailing  to  fend  the 
ftieets  as  they  came  from  the  prefs.  Thefe  not  ap- 
pealing for  a  long  time,  the  agent  made  enquiry, 
and: found  that  it  was  fent  to  Michaelis  at  Halle,  to 

^C  b^ 


2o6  THE  GBRMAN  UNION.        CHAP,  iil* 

be  printed  there.  The  agent  immediately  v/ent 
thither,  and  found  that  it  was  printing  with  great  al- 
terations, another  title,  and  a  guide  or  key,  in  which 
the  work  was  perverted  and  turned  into  ridicule  by 
a  Dr.  Bahrdt,  who  refided  in  that  neighbourhood. 
An  adion  of  recovery  and  damages  was  immediately 
commenced  at  Leipzig,  and  after  much  conteft,  an 
interdidl  was  put  on  Michaelis's  edition,  and  a  pro- 
per edition  was  ordered  immediately  from  Walther, 
with  fecuritty  that  it  fhould  appear  before  Bahrdt's, 
key.  Yet  when  it  was  produced  at  the  next  fair, 
the  bookfellers  had  been  already  fupplied  with  the 
fpurious  edition  ;  and  as  this  was  accompanied  by 
the  key,  it  was  much  more  faleable  ware,  and  com- 
pletely fupplanted  the  other. 

This  is  Ibrely  a  ftrong  inftance  of  the  machina- 
tions by  which  the  lUuminati  have  attempted  to 
deftroy  the  Liberty  of  the  Prefs,   and  the  power 
they  have  to  difcourage  or  fupprefs  any  thing  that 
is  not  agreeable  to  the  tafte  of  the  literary  junto. 
It  was  in    the  courfe  of  this  tranfa^tion    that  Dr. 
Stark's  agent  found  people  talking  in   the  coffee- 
houfes  of  Leipzig  and  Halle  of  the  advantages  of 
public  libraries,  and    of  libraries  by  fubfcription, 
in  every  town,  where  perfons  could,  at  a  fmall  ex- 
pence,  fee  v/hat  waspalfmg  in  the  learned  world. 
As  he  could  not  but  acquieice  in  thefe  points,  they 
who  held  this  language  began    to  talk  of  a  gene- 
ral Aflociation,   which  faould  a£t  in  concert  over 
all  Germany,  and  make  a- full   communication  of 
its  numerous  literary   productions  by  forming  fv- 
cietics  for  reading  and   inltrudtion,  which  fliould 
be  regularly  fupplied  with  every  publication.  Fly- 
ing ftieets  and  pamphlets  were  afterwards  put  into 
his  hands,  dating  the  great  ufe  of  fuch  an   Afloci- 
ation, and  the  elie(ft  which  it  would  fpcedily  pro- 
duce by  enlightening  the   nation.     By  and  by  he 

learned 


CHAP.   iii.  THE  GERMAN  UNION.  SOJ 

learned  that  fuch  an  AfTociation  did  really  exift, 
and  that   it  was  called  the  German   union,   for 

ROOTING  OUT  SUPERSTITION  AND  PREJUDICES, 
AND     ADVANCING     TRUE     CHRISTIANITY.         On 

enquiry,  however,  he  found  that  this  was  to  be  a 
Secret  Society,  becaufe  it  had  to  combat  prejudi- 
ces which  were  fupported  by  the  great  of  this 
world,  and  becaufe  its  aim  was  to  promote  that 
general  information  which  priefls  and  defpots 
dreaded  above  all  things.  This  AfTociation  was 
accelfible  only  through  the  reading  focieties,  and 
oaths  of  lecrecy  and  fidelity  were  required.  In 
fhort,  it  apppeared  to  be  the  old  fong  of  the  lllu- 
minati. 

This  difcovery  was  immediately  announced  to 
the  public,  in  an  anonymous  publication  in  defence 
of  Dr.  Stark.  It  is  fuppofed  to  be  his  own  per- 
formance. It  difclofes  a  fcene  of  complicated 
villiany  and  folly;  in  which  the  Lady  in  Courland 
makes  a  very  ftrange  figure.  She  appears  to  be  a 
wild  fanatic,  deeply  engaged  in  magic  and  ghoft- 
raifing,  and  leagued  with  Nicholai,  Gedicke,  and 
Bieller,  againft  Dr.  Stark.  He  is  very  completely 
cleared  of  the  fadts  alledged  againft  him  ;  and  his 
three  male  opponents  appear  void  of  all  principle 
and  enemies  of  all  religion.  Stark  however  would, 
in  Britain,  be  a  very  fingular  character,  confider- 
ed  as  a  clergyman.  The  frivolous  fecrets  of  Ma- 
fonry  have  cither  engrofled  his  whole  mind,  or  he 
has  laboured  in  them  as  a  lucrative  trade,  by  which 
he  took  advantage  of  the  folly  of  others.  The 
contefl:  between  Stark  and  the  Triumvirate  at 
Berlin  engaged  the  public  attention  much  more 
than  we  Ihould  imagine  that  a  thing  of  fo  private 
a  nature  would  do.  But  the  charadlers  were  very 
notorious  ;  and  it  turned  the  attention  of  the  pub- 
lic to  thofe  clandeftine  attacks  which  were  made 

in 


2o8  7HE  GERMAN  UNION.        CHAP.  lii. 

in  every  quarter  on  the  civil  and  religious  eftabliili- 
ments.  It  was  obvious  to  every  perlbn,  that  thcfe 
reading  iocicties  had  all  on  a  Tuddep  become  very 
numerous;  and  the  characters  of  thofe  who  pa- 
troniled  them  only  increafed  the  fufpicions  which 
were  now  raifed. 

The  firfl:  work  that  fpeaks  exprefsly  of  the  Ger- 
man Union,  is  a  very  leniible  performance  "  On 
*'  the  Right  of  Princes  to  dircd  the  Religion  of  their 
*'  Subjeds.''^  The  next  is  a  curious  work,  a  fort 
of  narrative  Dialogue  on  the  Charadlers  of  Nicho- 
lai,  Gedicke^  and  Bieftcr.  It  is  chiefly  occupied 
with  the  contefh  with  Dr.  Stark,  but  in  the  5th 
part,  it  treats  particularly  of  the  German  Union. 

About  the  fame  time  appeared  fome  farther  ac- 
count, in  a  book  called  Archives  of  Fanaticifm  and 
Illuniinatifm*  But  all  thefe  accounts  are  very 
vague  and  unfatisfaCtory.  The  fullefl  account  is 
to  be  had  in  a  work  publiilied  at  Ijeipzig  by  Gof- 
chen  the  bookfcller.  It1s  entitled,  "  Mure  Notes 
*'  than  Text^  or  the  German  Union  of  XX 11^  a  new 
*'  Secret  Society  for  the  Good  of  Mankind^  Leip- 
zig 1789.  The  publidier  fays  that  it  v/as  fent 
him  by  an  unknown  hand,  ana  that  he  publifhed 
it  wllh  all  ipced,  on  account  of  the  many  mif- 
chiefs  which  this  Society,  (of  which  he  had  be- 
fore heard  fcveral  reports,)  might  do  to  the  v/orld, 
and  to  the  trade,  if  allowed  to  go  on  working  in 
fecret.  From  this  work,  therefore,  we  may  form 
a  notion  of  this  redoubtable  Society,  and  judge 
how  far  it  is  practicable  to  prevent  fuch  fecret 
machinations  againlt  the  peace  and  happincfs  of 
mankind. 

There  is  another  work,  ^'' Further  information 
*'  concerning  the  GermanUnion^  (Nahere  Beleuch- 
"  tung  der  Deutfche  Union,)  alfo  Jkowing  hciv^ 
"  for  a   moderate  price^  one  may  become   a  Scotch 

"  Free 


ilHAP.  111.  THE  GERMAN  UNION.  20^ 

"  Free  Mafon^  Frankford  and  Leipzig^  1789. 
The  author  fays  that  he  had  ail  the  papers  in  his 
hands  ;  whereas  the  author  of  Mart  ts'otes  than 
Text  acknowledges  the  want  of  feme.  But  very- 
little  additional  light  is  thrown  on  the  fubjcctt:  by 
this  work,  and  the  lirft  is  IHll  the  moil  inflruftivc, 
and  will  chieily  be  followed  in  the  account  which 
is  now  to  be  laid  before  the  reader. 

The  book  More  Notes  than  Text  contains  plans 
and  letters,  which  the  Twenty-two  United  Bre- 
thren have  allowed  to  be  given  out,  and  of  which 
the  greatefh  part  were  printed,  but  were  entrufted 
only  to  affured  members. 

No»  I.  is  the  firft  plan,  printed  on  a  fingle  quar- 
to page,  and  is  addrelTed,  To  all  the  Friends  ofP^ea- 
fon,  of  Truth,  and  of  Virtue,  It  is  pretty  well 
written,  and  dates  among  other  things,  that  "  be* 
"  caufe  a  great  number  of  perfons  are  labouring, 
''  with  united  effort,  to  bring  Reafon  under  the 
**  yoke,  and  to  prevent  all  inftrudlion,  it  is  there- 
<'  fore  neceffary  that  there  be  a  combination  which 
*«  fhali  work  in  oppofition  to  them  fo  that  man- 
*«  kind  may  not  fmk  anew  into  irrecoverable  bar- 
"  barifni,  when  Reafon  and  Virtue  fliall  have  been 
*'  completely  fubdued,  overpowered  by  the  re- 
*'  ftraints  which  are  put  on  our   opinions. **- 


( 


For  this  noble  purpofe  a  company  of  twenty- 
"  two  perfons,  public  inftructors,  and  men  in  pri- 
*'  vateflations,  have  united  themlelves,  according 
*'  to  a  plan  v/hich  they  have  had  under  confidera- 
*'  tion  for  more  than  a  year  and  a  half,  and  v/hich, 
*'  in  their  opinion,  contains  a  method  that  is  fair 
*'  and  irrefiftible  by  any  human  power,  for  pro- 
*'  moting  the  enlightening  and  forming  of  man- 
*'  kind,  and  that  will  gradually  remove  all  the  ob- 
"  flacles  vv'hich  fupcrftition  fupported  by  force 
*'  has  hitherto  put  in  the  way." 

This 


tlO  THE  GERMAN  UNION.        CHAP.  Ill, 

This  addrefs  is  intended  for  an  enlifting  adver- 
tifemcnt,  and,  after  a  few  infignificaut  remarks 
on  the  Aflociation,  a  rix-d abler  is  required  along 
wiih  the  fubfcription  of  acquiefcence  in  the  plan, 
as  a  compenfation  for  the  expenccs  attending  this 
mode  of  intimation  and  confent. 

Whoever  pays  the  rix-dahler,  and  declares  his 
wifh  to  join  the  Aflociation,  receives  in  a  few  days, 
No.  11.  which  is  a  form  of  the  Oath  of  fecrecy, 
alfo  printed  on  a  fingle  aXo  page.  Having  fubfcrib- 
ed  this,  and  given  a  full  defignation  of  himfelf, 
he  returns  it  agreeably  to  a  certain  addrefs;  and 
foon  after,  he  gets  No.  III.  printed  on  a  4to  iheet. 
This  number  contains  what  is  called  the  Second 
Plan,  to  which  all  the  fubfequent  plans  and  circu- 
lar letters  refer.  A  copy  therefore  of  this  will 
give  US  a  pretty  full  and  juft  notion  of  the  Order, 
and  its  mode  of  declaration.  It  is  intitled, 

\^ke  Plan  of  the  Twenty-Two y 

and  begins  with  this  declaration  :  "We  have  unit* 
*'  ed,  in  order  to  accomplifli  the  aim  of  the  ex- 
*'  alted  Founder  of  Chriftianity,  viz.  the  enlighten- 
*'  ing  of  mankind,  and  the  dethronement  of  fu> 
"  perftition  and  fanaticifm,  by  means  of  a  fecret 
*'  fraternization  of  all  who  love  the  work  of  God. 
*'  Oar  firft  exertion,  which  has  already  been 
*'  very  extenlive,  confiils  in  this,  that,  by  means 
"  of  confidential  perfons,  we  allow  ourfelves  to 
"  be  announced  every  where  as  a  Society  united 
*'  for  the  above-mentioned  purpofe;  and  we  in- 
"  vite  and  admit  into  brotherhood  with  ourfelves 
*'  every  perfon  who  has  a  fenfe  of  the  importance 
**  of  this  matter,  and  wifhes  to  apply  to  us  and 
"  fee  our  plans. 

"  We 


CHA^.  iii.  THE    GERMAN    tJNiON.  ill 

**  We  labour  firft  of  all  to  draw  into  our  Aflb- 


(C 


ciation  all  good  and  learned  writers.  This  we 
"  imagine  will  be  the  eafier  obtained,  as  they 
"  mud  derive  an  evident  advantage  from  it. 
"  Next  to  fuch  men,  we  feek  to  gain  the  mailers 
"  and  fecretaries  of  the  Poit-offices,  in  order  to 
"  facilitate  our  correlpondence. 

*'  Befides  thele,  we  receive  perfons  of  every 
"  condition  and  flation,  excepting  princes  and 
"  their  miniflers.  Their  favourites,  however, 
"  may  be  admitted,  and  may  be  ufeful  by  their 
"  influence  in  behalf  of  Truth  and  Virtue. 

*'  When  any  perfon  writes  to  us,  we  fend  him 
"  an  oath,  by  which  he  mud  abjure  all  treachery 
"  or  difcovery  of  the  .Aflbciation,  till  circura- 
*'  dances  ftiall  make  it  proper  for  us  to  come  for- 
"  ward  and. {iiow  ourfelves  to  the  world.  When 
"  he  fubfcribes  the  oath,  he  receives  the  plan,  and 
'*  if  he  finds  this  to  be  what  fatisfies  his  mind  as 
"  a  thing  good  and  honourable,  he  becomes  our 
*'  friend  only  in  ib  far  as  he  endeavours  to  gain 
"  over  his  friends  and  acquaintances.  Thus 
"  we  learn  who  are  really  our  zealous  friends, 
"  and  our  numbers  increale  in  a  double  pro- 
"  portion. 

*'  This  procedure  is  to  continue  till  Provi- 
"  dence  fliall  fo  far  blefs  our  endeavours,  that 
"  we  acquire  an  a£cive  Brother  and  coadjutor  in 
every  place  of  note,  where  there  is  any  lite- 
rary profeffion  ;  and  for  this  purpofe  we  have 
a  fecretary  and  proper  cflice  in  the  center  of 
the. Affociation,  where  every  thing  is  expedit- 
"  ed,  and  all  reports  received.  When  this  happy 
"  epoch  arrives,  we  begin  our  fecond  operation." 
That  is  to  fay, 

We  intimate  to  all  the  Brotherhood  in  every 
quarter,  on  a  certain  day,  t/iat  the  German 

"  Union 


it 
It 


ii 


212  THE    CERTvIAN    UNION.  CHAP  iiii 

**  Union  has  now  acquired  a  conjificnce^  and  we 
"  now  divide  the  fraterniied  part  of  tlie  nation 
**  into  ten  or  twelve  Provinces  or  Diocefes,  each 
"  directed  by  its  Dioctjan  at  his  office  ;  and  thefe 
"  are  fo  arranged  in  due  fubordinaiion,  that  all 
"  bufincfs  comes  into  the  Union-house  as  into 
"  the  center  of  the  whole. 

"  Agreeably  to  this  manner  of  proceeding  there 
"  are  twv^  claiTes  of  the  Brotherhood,  the  Ordi^ 
**  nary  and  the  Managing  Brethren.  The  latter 
"  alone  know  the  aim  of  the  afTociation,  and  all 
"  the  means  for  attaining  it;  and  they  alone 
*'  coniVitute  the  Union,  the  name,  and  the  con- 
"  neftion  of  which  is  not  intended  to  be  at  all 
"  confpicuous  in  the  world. 

"  To  this  end  the  bufiiiefs  takes  a  new  exter- 
**  nal  form.  The  Brethren,  to  wit,  fpeak  not  of 
*'  the  Union  in  the  places  where  they  relide,  nor 
*'  of  a  Society,  nor  of  enlightening  the  people  ; 
"  but  they  alTemble,  and  acl   together  in  every 
"  quarter,    merely    as    a    Literary    SocietYj 
"  bring  into  it  all  the  lovers  of  reading  and  of 
*'  ufeful   knowledge;    and   fuch    in   fa£l   are   the 
*'  Ordinary    Brethren^    who  only   know  that  an 
"  Affociation    exills  in   their  place  of  refidence 
"  for   tlie    encouragement  of  literary   men,    but 
"  by  no   means  that  it  has  any  connection  with 
"  any  other    fimikr  Society,    and  that  they  all 
"  conftitute  one   whole.    But  thefe  Societies  will 
"  naturally  point  out  to  the  intelligent  Brethren 
"  fuch  perfons  as  are   proper   to  be   feledted  for 
"  carrying   forward  the  great  work.     For   per- 
"  fons  of  a  fcrlous   turn  of  mind   are  not   mere 
"  loungers  in    fuch  company,    but   (how  in  their 
'•  converfation   the   intereft   they  take  in  real  in- 
"  ftruaion.  And  the  caft  of  their  reading,  which 
"  mud  not  be   checked   in  the  beginning  in  the 

"  fmallcit 


€HAP.   iii.  THE    GERMAN    UNION".  213 

finallefl  degree,  although  it  may  be  gradually 
directed  to  proper  fubje(n:s  of  information,  will 
point  out  in  the  mofl;  unequivocal  manner  their 
peculiar  ways  of  thinking  on  the  important 
fubjcfts  connected  with  our  great  object.  Here, 
therefore,  the  active  Brethren  will  obferve  in 
fecret,  and  will  icle^  thofe  whom  they  think 
valuable  acquifitions  to  the  facred  Union,  They 
will  invite  fuch  perfons  to  unite  with  them- 
felvcs  in  their  endeavours  to  enlighten  the 
reft  of  mankind,  by  calling  their  attention  to 
profitable  fabjefts  of  reading,  and  to  proper 
books.  Reacing  Societies,  therefore,  are  to  be 
formed  in  every  quarter,  and  to  be  furniflied 
with  pioper  books.  In  this  provifion  attention 
muft  be  paid  to  two  things.  The  taftc  of  the 
public  mufl  be  complied  with,  that  the  So-  ■ 
ciety  may  have  any  effcd  at  all  in  bringing 
men  together  who  arc  born  for  fomewhat  more 
than  juft  to  look  about  them.  But  the  general 
talle  may,  and  muft  alfo  be  carefully  and  fldl- 
fully  directed  to  fubjecTts  that  will  enlarge  the 
comprehenfion,  will  fortify  the  heart,  and,  by 
habituating  the  mind  to  novelty,  and  to  fuc- 
cefsful  difcovery,  both  in  phyfics  and  in  morals, 
win  hinder  the  timid  from  being  ftartlcd  at  ' 
do6trincs  and  maxims  which  are  fingular,  or. 
perhaps  oppofite  to  thofe  which  are  current 
in  ordinary  fociety.  Commonly  a  man  fpeaks 
as  if  he  thought  he  was  uttering  his  own  fen- 
timents,  while  he  is  only  echoing  the  general 
found.  Our  minds  are  dreflcd  in  a  prevailing 
faftiio.i  as  much  as  our  bodies,  and  with  ftuiF 
as  little  congenial  to  fentimcnt,  as  a  piece 
of  woollen  cloth  is  to  the  human  fldn.  So  care- 
lefs  and  indolent  are  men,  even  in  what  they 
call  fL^rious    converfation.     Till   refleftion   be- 

2D  "  comes 


•  f  • 


214  THE  GERMAN  UNION.         CHAP.  Ill, 

comes  a  habit,  what  is  really  a  thought  ftartles, 
however  fimple,  and,  if  really  uncommon,  it 
aftonilhes  and  confounds.  Nothing,  therefc/i'e, 
can  fo  powerfully  tend  to  the  improvement  of 
the  human  character,  as  well-managed  Read' 
ing  Societies. 

*^  When  thefe  have  been  eflablilhed  in  diifercnt 
places,  we  mull  endeavour  to  accomplifh  the 
following  intermediate  plans:  i.  To  introduce 
a  general  literary  Gazette  or  Review,  which, 
by  uniting  all  the  learned  Brethren,  and  com- 
bining with  judgment  and  addrefs  all  their 
talents,  and  iteadily  proceeding  according  to 
a  diftindl:  and  precife  plan,  may  in  time  fup- 
plant  every  other  Gazette,  a  thing  which  its 
intrinfic  merit  and  comprehenfive  plan  will 
eafily  accomplifli.  2.  To  felect  a  fecretary  for 
oar  Society,  who  fhall  have  it  in  charge  to 
commiihon  the  books  which  they  fhall  feleft 
in  conformity  to  the  great  aim  of  the  AiTocia- 
tion,  and  who  fliall  undertake  to  commilfion 
'  all  other  books  for  the  curious  in  his  neigh- 
bourhood. If  there  be  a  bcokieller  in  the  place, 
who  can  be  gained  over  and  fworn  into  the 
Society,  it  will  be  proper  to  choofe  him  for 
this  oftice,  fince,  as  will  be  made  more 
plain  afterwards,  the  trade  vv'ill  gradually 
come  into  the  plan,  and  fall  into  the  hands 
of  the  Union. 

'*  And  now,  every  eye  can  perceive  the  pro- 
greffive  moral  infiuence  which  the  Union  will 
acquire  on  the  nation.  Let  us  only  conceive 
what  fuperflition  will  lole,  and  what  inftruc- 
tion  muft  gain  by  this;  when,  i.  In  every 
Reading  Society  the  books  are  leleded  by  our 
Fraternity,  2.  When  we  have  confidential 
perfons  in  every  quarter,    who  will   make  it 

*'  their 


fcHAP.   IIU  THE    GERMAN    UNIONi  tl^ 

**  their  ferious  concern  to  fprcad  fuch  perform- 
"  ances  as  promote  the  enlightening  of  mankind, 
*'  and  to  introduce  them  even  into  every  cot- 
*'  tao-e.  c>.  When  we  have  the  loud  voice  of  the 
"  public  on  our  fide,  and  fmce  we  are  able, 
**  cither  to  banifii  into  the  fliade  all  the  fanatical 
*'  writings  which  appear  in  the  reviews  that  are 
*'  commonly  read,  or  to  w^arn  the  public  againll 
*'  them  ;  and,  on  the  other  hand,  to  bring  into 
**  notice  and  recommend  thole  performances 
*'  alone  which  give  light  to  the  human  mind. 
"  4.  When  we  by  degrees  bring  the  whole  trade 
**  of  bookfelling  into  our  hands,  (as  the  good 
'*  writers  will  fend  all  their  performances  into 
*'  the  market  through  our  means)  we  fiiall  bring 
"  it  about,  that  at  lad  the  writers  who  labour  in 
*'  the  caufe  of  fuperftition  and  reftraint,  will 
"  have  neither  a  publiflier  nor  readers.  5.  When, 
**  lallJy,  by  the  fpreading  of  our  Fraternity,  all 
"  good  hearts  and  fenfible  men  will  adhere  to 
**  us,  and  by  our  means  will  be  put  in  a  con- 
"  dition  that  enables  them  to  work  in  filence 
*'  upon  all  courts,  families,  and  individuals  in 
*'  every  quarter,  and  acquire  an  influence  in  the 
"  appointment  of  court-officers,  ftewards,  fecre- 
*'  taries,  parifli-priefts,  public  teachers,  and  pri- 
"  vate  tutors. 

"  Remark,  That  we  fhall  fpeedily  get  the  trade 
*'  into  our  hands,  (which  was  formerly  the  aim 
*'  of  the  AfTociation  called  the  Gelthrttnhiich- 
**  handliing)  is  conceivable  by  this,  that  every 
*'  writer  who  unites  with  us  immediately  acquires 
*'  a  triple  number  of  readers,  and  jfinds  friends 
in  every  place  who  promote  the  fale  of  his 
performance;  fo  that  his  gain  is  increafed  ma- 
nifold, and  confequently  all  will  quit  the  book- 
fcllers,  aiid  accede  to  w%  by  degrees.    Had  the 

"  above 


2l6  TttE    GER^fAN    UMION.  CMAP.  Ill* 

"  above  named  AlTociation  been  confiirudled  in 
*'  this  manner,  it  would,  long  ere  now,  have 
*'  been  the  only  (hop  In  Germany." 

The  book  callsd  Fuller  Information^  &c.  gives 
a  more  particular  account  of  the  advantages  held 
forth  to  the  literary  manufacturers  of  Germany 
by  this  Union  for  GocVs  ivork.  The  clafs  of  lite- 
rary Brothers,  or  writers  by  trade,  was  divided 
into  Mefopolites^  j^ldermen^  Men^  and  Cadets, 

The  Mesopolites,  or  Metropolitans,  are  to 
be  attached  to  the  archive-oificc,  and  to  be  taken 
care  of  in  the  Union-houfe,  when  in  (traits  through 
age  or  misfortune.  They  will  be  occupied  in  the 
department  of  the  fciences  or  arts,  which  this 
AfTociation  profefs  principally  to  chcrifli.  They 
are  alfo  Brethren  of  the  third  degree  of  Scotch 
Free  Mafonry,  a  qualification  to  be  explained  af- 
terwards. The  Union-houfe  is  a  building  which 
the  oftenfible   Founder  of  the  Union  profefled  to 

have  acquired,  or  fpeedily  to  acquire  at , 

through  the  favour  and  protection  of  a  German 
Prince,  who  is  not  named. 

Aldermen  are  perfons  who  hold  public  of- 
fices, and  arc  engaged  to  exercife  their  genius  and 
talents  in  the  fciences.  Thefe  alfo  are  Brothers  of 
the  third  rank  of  Scotch  Free  Mafonry,  and  out 
of  their  number  are  the  Diocefans  and  the  Direc- 
tors of  the  Reading  Societies  felc£ted. 

The  members  who  are  defigned  fimply  Men, 
are  Brothers  of  the  fecond  rank  of  Mafonry,  and 
have  alfo  a  definite  fcientific  occupation  afiigned 
them. 

The  Cadets  are  writers  who  have  not  yet 
merited  any  particular  honours,  but  have  exhi- 
bited fufficient  difpofitions  and  talents  for  difter- 
ent  kinds  of  literary  manufacture. 

Every 


CHAP.  iii.       THE  GERMAN  UNION.  217 

Every  member  is  bound  to  bring  the  produc- 
tiotis  of  his  genius  to  market  through  the  Union. 
An  Alderman  receives  fur  an  original  work  80 per 
cent,  of  the  returns,  and  70  for  a  tranllatlou.  The 
member  of  the  next  chiis  receives  60,  and  the 
Cadet  ^o.  As  to  the  cxpence  of  printing,  the  Al- 
derman pays  nothing,  even  though  tiie  work 
fhould  he  on  hand  unibld  ;  but  the  Man  and  the 
Cadet  mufh  pay  one-half.  Three  months  after 
publication  at  the  fairs  an  account  is  brought  in, 
and  after  this,  yearly,  when  and  in  what  manner 
the  author  (hali  delirc. 

In  every  Diocefe  will  be  eflabliflied  at  leaft  one 
Reading  Soci(ty,  c>f  which  near  800  are  pro- 
pofed.  To  each  of  theie  will  a  copy  of  an  Alder- 
man s  work  be  fcnt.  1'he  fame  favour  will  be 
Ihown  to  a  difilrtation  by  a  Man^  or  by  a  Cadet, 
provided  that  the  manufcript  is  documented  by 
an  Alderman,  or  formally  approved  by  him  upon 
ferious  perufal.  This  bnpr'wiatur^  which  mult  be 
confidered  as  a  powerful  recommendation  of  the 
work,  is  to  be  publifiied  in  the  General  Revieiv  or 
Gazette,  This  is  to  be  a  vehicle  of  political  as 
well  as  of  literary  news  ;  and  it  is  hoped  that,  by 
its  intrinfic  worth,  and  the  recommendalion  of 
the  members,  it  will  foon  fupplant  all  others. 
(With  relpeft  to  affairs  of  the  Union,  a  fort  of 
cypher  was  to  be  employed  in  it.  Each  Dioccfan 
was  there  defigned  by  a  letter,  of  a  lize  that 
marked  his  rank,  and  each  member  by  a  number. 
It  was  to  appear  weekly,  at  the  very  Anail  price 
of  five-and-twenty  fliillings.] — But  let  us  return 
to  the  plan. 

When  every  thing  has  been  eilabhilied  in  the 
maimer  fet  forth  above,  the  Union  will  ajTume 
the  following  republican  form,  (the  reader  al- 
ways recollecting    that    this  is  not  to  appear  to 

the 


• .  i 


Ql8  THE    GERMAN    UNION.  CHAPi    ill* 

the  world,  and  to  be  known  only  to  the  manag- 
vig  Brethren. 

Here,  however,  there  is  a  great  blank.  The 
above-named  {l<.ctch  of  this  Conflitntion  did  not 
come  to  the  hands  of  the  perfon  who  furniflied 
the  bookfcller  with  the  reil  of  the  information. 
But  we  have  other  documents  which  give  futii- 
cient  informition  for  our  purpoie.  In  the  mean 
time,  let  usjuft  take  the  papers  as  they  ftand. 

No.  IV.  Contains  a  lift  of  the  German  Union^ 
which  the  fender  received  in  manufcript.  Here 
wc  find  many  names  which  we  flioiild  not  have 
expedled,  and  mifs  many  that  were  much  more' 
likely  to  have  been  partners  in  this  patriotic 
fcheme.  There  are  feveral  hundred  names^  but 
very  few  defignations ;  {o  that  it  is  difiicult  to 
point  out  the  individuals  to  the  public.  Some 
however  are  dei^gncd,  and  the  writer  obferves 
that  names  are.  found,  which,  when  applied  to 
fome  individuals  whom  he  knows,  accord  furprif-^ 
ingly  with  the  anecdotes  that  are  to  be  feen  in  the 
private  correfpondence  of  the  Illuniinati,  and  \n 
the  romance  called  Materials  for  the  Kiftory  of 
Socratifm  (Illuminalifm;*.  It  is  but  a  difagree^ 
able  remark,   that  the  liil  of  the  Union  contains 

*  This,  by  the  by,  is  a  very  curious  and  entertaining  work^ 
and,  had  the  whole  affair  been  better  known  in  this  country,- 
would  have  been  a  much  better  antidote  againft  the  baneful 
effefts  of  that  Affociation  than  any  thing  that  I  can  give  to 
the  public,  being  written  with  much  accutenefs  and  knowledge 
of  the  human  mind,  and  agreeably  diverfified  with  anecdote  and 
ironical  exhibition  of  the  affefted  wifdom  and  philanthropy  of 
the  knavilh  Founder  and  his  coadjutors.  If  the  prefent  imper- 
ft^A  and  defultory  account  Hiall  be  found  to  interefl  the  public,  I 
doubt  not  but  that  a  tranfljtion  of  this  novel,  and  fome  other 
fanciful  performances  on  the  fubjeft,  will  be  read  with  entertain- 
■lent  and  profit. 

the 


CHAP.   111.  THE    GERMAN    UNION.  2lQ 

the  names  of  many  public  teachers,  both  from  the 
pulpit,  and  from  the  accademic  chair  in  all  its 
degrees;  and  among  thefe  are  feveral  whofe  cy- 
phers {how  that  they  have  been  a^Slive  hands. 
Some  of  thefe  have  in  their  v\^ritings  given  evi- 
dent proofs  of  their  mifconception  of  the  iimple 
truths,  v/hether  dogmatical  or  hiilorical,  of  re- 
vealed religioji,  or  of  their  inclination  to  twill 
aiid  manufacture  them  fo  as  to  chime  in  with  the 
religion  and  morality  of  the  Sages  of  France.  But 
it  is  more  diilrelling  to  meet  with  unequivocal 
names  of  fome  who  profefs  in  their  writings  to 
confider  thefe  fubjefts  as  an  honefb  man  faould 
confider  them,  that  is,  according  to  the  plain  and 
common  fenfe  of  the  words;  whereas  we  have 
demonflrative  proofs  that  the  German  Union  had 
the  diametrically  oppclite  purpofe  in  view\  The 
only  female  in  the  lifh  is  the  Crafin  vojt  der  Recke, 
the  Lady  who  gave  Dr.  Stark  of  Darmftadt  fo 
much  trouble  about  his  Tcnfure,  This  Lady,  as 
we  have  already  feen,  could  not  occupy  herfelf 
with  the  frivolity  of  drefs,  flirtation,  or  domcf- 
tic  cares.  ''''  Femina  fonte  pattt^vir  peCiore.^^  She 
was  not  pleafed  however  at  finding  her  name  in 
fuch  a  Plebeian  lift,  and  gave  oath,  along  with 
Biefter  at  the  centre,  that  flie  was  not  of  the  Af- 
fociation.  I  fee  that  the  public  was  not  fatisiied 
v/ith"  this  denial.  The  Lady  has  publiihed  fome 
more  fcandal  againft  Stark  fince  that  time,  and 
takes  no  notice  of  it;  and  there  h?.ve  appeared 
many  accounts  of  very  ferious  literary  connec- 
tions between  thefe  two  perfons  and  the  man  who 
was  afterwards  difcovered  to  be  the  chief  agent 
of  the  Union. 

No.  V.  is  an  important  document.  It  is  a  letter 
addrelTed  to  the  fworn  members  of  the  Union,  re- 
minding the  beloved  fellow-workers  that   ''  the  by- 

*'  gone 


220  THE    GERMAN    UNION.  CHAP.   111. 

*'  gone  management  of  the  bufinefs  has  been  ex- 
*'  penfive,  and  that  the  XXII.  do  not  mean  to  make 
*'  any  particular  charge  for  their  own  compenfation. 
*'  But  that  it  was  necellary  that  ail  and  each  of  the 
"•  members  ihould  know  precifely  the  objevfl  of  the 
*•■  Aifociation,  and  the  way  vvhieh  mature  confidera- 
*'  tion  had  pointed  out  as  the  moH  efteclual  method 
*'  of  attaining  this  objed.  Then,  and  not  till  then, 
"  could  the  worthy  members  ad  by  one  plan,  and 
*'  confequently  with  united  torce.  To  accomplilli 
''  this  purpofe,  one  of  their  number  had  compoled 
*'  a  Treat ife  on  Inftrutlion^  and  the  means  of  promot- 
"  ing  it^''  This  work  has  been  revifed  by  the  whole 
number,  and  may  be  confidered  as  the  reiult  of  their 
deeped  refledion.  "  They  fay,  that  it  would  be  a 
fignal  misfortune  fliould  this  AlTociation,  this  under- 
Taking,  fo  important  for  the  happinefs  of  mankind, 
be  cramped  in  the  very  beginning  of  its  brilliant 
progrefs.  They  therefore  propofe  to  print  this 
work,  this  Holy  Scripture  of  their  faith  and  praiftice, 
by  fubfcriptiou.  (They  her«  give  a  Ihort  account 
of  the  work.)  And  they  requell:  the  members  to 
encourage  the  work  by  fubfcribing,  and  by  exerting 
more  than  their  ufual  activity  in  procuring  fubfcrip- 
tions,  arjd  in  recommending  the  performance  in  the 
newfpapeis.  Four  perfons  are  named  as  Dioceians, 
who  are  to  receive  the  money,  which  they  beg  may 
be  fpeeJiiy  advanced  in  order  to  purchafe  paper, 
th:;t  the  work  may  be  readv  for  the  firfl;  fair  (Ealier 
1788.) 

No.  VI.  is  a  printed  paper  (as  is  No.  V.)  without 
date,  farther  recommending  the  Eilay  on  Inllrii(flion. 
No.  VII.  isin  manufcript,   without  date.     It  is  ad^ 

*  Ueler  avvvklahung  und  deren  Befordemngs- Mitlel.  The  only 
proper  tranfiation  cf  this  word  would  be,  clearing  up  or  enlighten* 
ing.  Injlrulfion  feetns  the  firigle  word  that  comes  ncarcil  to  the 
precife  meaning  of  Auffklarung,  but  is  not  fynonymous. 

drc  (Ted 


CHAP.   ni.  THE    GERMAN    UNION.  221 

dreflfed  to  ''  a  worthy  man,"  intimating  that  the  like 
are  fent  to  others,  to  whom  will  alfo  fpeedily  be  for- 
warded an  improved  plan,  with  a  requell:  to  cancel 
or  deflroy  the  former  contained  in  No.  III.  It  is 
added,  that  the  Union  now  contains,  among  many- 
others,  more  than  two  hundred  of  the  mofi:  refpec- 
table  perfons  in  Germany,  of  every  rank  and  condi- 
tion, and  that  in  the  conrfe  of  the  year,  (1788,)  a 
geneial  lift  will  be  fent,  with  a  requeft  that  the  re- 
ceiver will  point  out  fuch  as  he  does  not  think  wor- 
thy of  perfed  confidence.  It  concludes  with  ano- 
ther recoQimendation  of  the  book  on  InJlru£iion^  on 
the  returns  from  which  firft  work  of  the  German 
Union  the  fupport  of  the  fecretary's  office  is  to  de- 
pend. 

Accordingly  No.  VIII.  contains  this  plan,  but  it 
is  not  entitled  The  Improved  Plan.  Such  a  denomi- 
nation would  have  called  in  doubt  the  infallibility  of 
the  XXII.  It  is  therefore  called  the  ProgreJJive 
(vorlaufig)  plan,  a  title  which  leaves  room  for  every 
fubfequent  change.  It  differs  from  the  former  only 
in  fome  unimportant  circumftances.  Some  exprel- 
fions,  which  had  given  offence  or  raifed  fufpicions, 
are  foftened  or  cancelled.  Two  copies  of  this,  which 
we  may  call  A  and'B,  are  given,  differing  alfo  in 
fome  circumftances. 

"  The  great  aim  of  the  German  Union  is  the  good 
*'  of  mankind,  which  is  to  be  attained  only  by  means 
''*;of  mental  illumination  i^Aujfklarung)  and  the  de- 
'^'throning  of  fanaticifm  and  moral  defpotifm." 
Neither  paper  has  the  exprcffion  which  immediately 
followed  in  the  former  plan,  "  that  this  had  been 
''  the  aim  of  the  exalted  founder  of  Chriftianity." 
The  paper  A  refers,  on  the  prefent  fubje6\,  to  a  dif- 
fertation  printed  in  l  787,  without  a  name,  On  the 
freedom  of  the  Prefs  and  its  Limitation.  This  is  one 
of  the  raoft  licentious  pieces  that  has  been  publiihed 

2  E  on 


2'22  THE    GERMAN    UNION.  CHAP.  iVu 

on  the  fubjed,  not  only  enforcing  the  mofl;  unquali- 
fied liberty  of  publifhing  every  thing  a  man  pleafes, 
but  exemplifying  it  in  the  mofl  Icandalous  manner  j 
libelling  characlers  of  every  fort,  and  perfons  of  eve- 
ry condition^  and  this  frequently  in  the  n)oii  abu- 
five  language,  and  expreflions  fo  coarfe,  as  fliewed 
the  author  to  be  either  habituated  to  the  coarfefl  com- 
pany,' or  determined  to  try  boldly  once  for  all,  what 
the|)ublic  eye  can  bear.  The  piece  goes  on  :  "The 
**  Union  confiders  it  as  a  chief  part  of  itsfecret  plan 
"  of  operation,  to  include  the  trade  of  bookfelling 
in  their  circle.  By  getting  hold  of  this,  they 
have  it  in  their  power  to  increafe  the  number  of 
writings  which  promote  inflruction,  and  to  leflen 
^  that  of  thofe  which  mar  it,  iince  the  authors  of 
"  the  latter  will  by  degrees  lofe  both  their  publifli- 
**  ers  and  their  readers.  That  the  prefent  book- 
*'  fellers  may  do  them  no  harm,  they  will  by  degrees 
draw  in  the  greater  part  of  them  to  unite  with 
them." — The  literary  newfpaper  is  here  flrongly 
infifted  on,  and,  in  addition  to  what  was  faid  in  the 
former  plan,  it  is  faid,  "■  that  they  will  include  po- 
*'  litical  news,  as  of  mighty  influence  on  the  public 
*'  mind,  and  as  a  fubjecl  that  merits  the  clofefi:  at- 
**  tention  of  the  moral  inftructor.  <  For  what  illumi- 
nation is  that  mind  fufceptible  of,  that  is  fo  blind- 
ed by  the  prejudice  created  and  nurfed  by  the 
*'  habits  of  civil  fubordination,  that  it  worQiips  flu- 
pidity  or  wickednefs  under  a  coronet,  and  neglevfis 
talents  and  virtue  under  the  bearfkin  cap  of  the 
"  boor  ?  We  muft  therefore  reprefent  political 
"  tranfac\ions,  and  public  occurrences,  not  as  they 
*'  affed  that  anificlal  and  fantaftical  creature  of  ima- 
*'  gination  that  we  fee  every  where  around  us  wheel- 
"  ed  about  in  a  chariot,  but  as  it  atfeds  a  man,  ra- 
'*  tional,  aclive,  free  born  man.  By  thus  Gripping 
*'  the  tranfadion  of  all  foreign  circumftances,  we 

*'fee 


ci 


ti 


(I 


(C 


GHAP.  111.        THE  GERMAN  UNION.  223 

"  fee  it  as  it  affeds,  or  ought  to  afFe^,  ourfelves. 
*'  Be  aflbred  that  this  new  form  of  political  intelli- 
''  gence  will  be  highly  interefting,  and  that  the 
"  Gazette  of  the  Union  will  foon  luperfede  all  others, 
*'  and,  of  itfelf,  will  defray  all  our  necelTary  ex- 
*'  pences." 

This  is  followed  by  fome  allufions  to  a  fecret  cor- 
refpondence  that  is  quick,  unfufceptible  of  all  dif- 
covery  or  treachery,  and  attended  with  no  expence, 
by  which  the  bulinefs  of  the  fecret  plan  {^differe^it 
from  either  of  thoje  communicated^  to  the  /worn  Bre- 
thren at  large)  is  carried  on,  and  which  puts  the 
members  in  a  condition  to  learn  every  thing  that 
goes  on  in  the  world,  for  or  againft  their  caufe,  and 
alfo  teaches  them  to  know  mankind,  to  gain  an  in- 
fluence over  ail,  and  enables  them  effedually  to  pro- 
mote their  beft  fubjefls  into  all  offices,  Sec.  and  finally, 
from  which  every  member,  whether  ftatefman,  mer- 
chant, or  writer,  can  draw  his  own  advantages.  Some 
paffages  here  and  in  another  place  make  me  imagine 
that  the  Union  hoped  to  get  the  command  of  the 
poft-offices,  by  having  their  Brethren  in  the  di- 
re(51ion. 

It  is  then  faid,  that  "  it  is  fuppofed  that  the  levy- 
will  be  fufficiently  numerous  in  the  fpring  of  the 
enfuing  year.  When  this  takes  place,  a  general 
fynod  will  be  held,  in  which  the  plan  of  fecret 
*'  operations  will  be  finally  adjufled,  and  accomm.o- 
"  dated  to  local  circumOances,  fo  as  to  be  digeifed 
'*  into  a  law  that  will  need  no  farther  alteration.  A 
''  proper  perfon  will  fet  off  from  this  fynod,  with 
''  full  powers  to  viiit  every  quarter  where  there  are 
"  fworn  Brethren,  and  he  will  there  eOablilh  a 
"  Lodge  afcer  the  ancient  fimple  ritual,  and  will 
"  communicate  'verbally  the  plan  of  fecret  opera- 
*'  ration^  and  certain  infl:ru(51ions.  Thefe  Lodges 
"  will  then  eftablifh  a  managing  fund  or  box.  Each 

"  Lodge 


ii 


It 


224  THE  GERMAN  UNION.         CHAP.  li'l. 

"  Lodge  will  alfo  eftablifli  a  Reading  Society,  under 
"  the  management  of  a  bookfeller  reliding  in  the 
"  place,  or  of  fome  perfon  acquainted  with  the  me- 
''  chanical  condud  of  things  of  this  nature.  There 
"  mud  alio  be  a  colledor  and  agent,  (^Expediteur^^ 
"  fo  that  in  a  moment  the  Union  will  have  its  of- 
''  fices  or  comptoirs  in  every  quarter,  through  which 
"  it  carries  on  the  trade  of  bookfclling,  and  guides 
"  the  ebb  and  flow  of  its  correlpondence.  And  thus 
"  the  whole  machine  will  be  fet  in  motion,  and  its 
''  activity  is  all  direcled  from  the  centre." 

I  remark,  that  here  we  have  not  that  exclufion  of 
Princes  and  minivers  that  was  in  the  former  plan; 
thev  are  not  even  mentioned.  The  excluiion  m  ex- 
prefs  terms  could  not  but  furprile  people,  and  ap- 
pear fomewhat  fufpicious. 

No.  IX.  is  a  printed  circular  letter  to  the  fworn 
Brethren,  and  is  fubfcribed  ''  by  their  truly  allociat- 
"  ed  Brother  Barthels,  Oheramtfrnan  (tirll  bailifl") 
*'  for  the  King  of  Pruffia,  at  Halle  on  the  Saal." 

In  this  letter  the  Brethren  are  informed  thac  "  the 
*'  XXII.  were  wont  to  meet  ibmetimts  at  Halle,  and 
*'  fometimes  at  Berlin.  But  unavoidable  circum- 
*'  fiances  oblige  them  not  only  to  remain  concealed 
*'  for  Ibmetime,  but  even  to  give  up  their  relation 
*'  to  the  Union,  and  withdraw  themfeives  from  any 
"  fliare  in  its  proceedings.  Thefe  circumllances 
*'  ave  but  temporary,  and  will  be  completely  ex- 
*'  plained  in  due  time.     They  truft,   however,  that 

this  neceifary  ftep  on  their  part  will  not  abate  the 

zeal  and  aclivitv  of  men  of  noble  minds,  engag- 
*'  ed  in  the  caule  by  the  conviclion  of  their  own 
*'  hearts.  They  have  therefore  communicated  to 
*'  their  worthy  Brother  Barthlls  all  necelTary  in- 
**  formations,  and  have  unanimoufly  conferred  on 
"  him  the  direction  of  the  fecretaiy's  orHce,  and 
"  have  provided    him  with  every   document   and 


'*  mean 


CHAP.   111.  THE    GERMAN    UNION.  225 

mean  of  carrying  on  the  correfpondence,  I]e  has 
devoted  himlelf  to  the  honourable  office,  giving 
up  all  other  empiovments.  They  obferve  that  by 
this  change  in  the  manner  of  proceeding,  the  Af- 
fociation  is  freed  from  an  objedion  made  with 
juflice  to  all  other  fecret  focieties,  naineiy,  that 
the  members  fubjed  themfelves  to  blind  and  un- 
qualified fubmifiion  to  unknown  fuperiors." — 
I'he  Society  is  now  in  the  hands  of  its  own  avow- 
ed members.  Every  thing  will  loon  be  ananged 
according  to  a  conftitution  purely  republican  ;  a 
Diocefan  will  be  chofen,  and  will  dired  in  every 
province,  and  report  to  the  centre  every  fecond 
month,  and  inilrudions  and  other  informations 
will  iiTue  in  like  manner  from  the  centre. 
"  If  this  plan  Ihall  be  approved  of  by  the  AfTo- 
ciated,  H.  Earthels  will  tranfmJt  to  all  the  Dio- 
cefes  general  litis  of  the  Union,  and  the  Plan  of 
Secret  Opekation,  the  refult  of  deep  medita- 
tion of  the  XXII.  and  admirably  calculated  for 
carrying  on  v/ith  irrefidable  elfed  their  noble  and 
patriotic  plan.  To  flop  all  cabal,  and  put  an  end 
to  all  flander  and  fufpicion,  H.  Barthels  thinks  it 
proper  that  the  Union  fhail  llep  forv^ard,  and  de- 
clare itfelf  to  the  world,  and  openly  name  fome 
of  its  mort  refpedable  members.  The  public 
mufl;  however  be  informed  only  v^^ith  refpect  to 
the  exterior  of  the  Society,  for  which  purpofe  he 
had  written  a  flieet  to  be  annexed  as  an  appendix 
to  the  work,  On  InJlru5iion^  declaring  that  to  be 
the  work  of  the  Society,  and  a  fufficient  indica- 
tion of  its  moil  honourable  aim.  He  dcliics 
fuch  members  as  choofe  to  ftiare  the  honour 
V,  ith  him,  to  fend  him  their  names  and  proper 
dciignations,  that  they  may  appear  in  that  Ap- 
pendix. And,  ladly,  he  requclfs  them  to  in- 
{triicl  him,  and  cc-opcratc  v;ith  him,  according- 

*'  to 


# 

226  THE    GERMAN    UNION.  CHAP.  I'l'l, 

"  to  the  concerted  rules  of  the  Union,  in  promot- 
**  ing  the  caufe  of  God  and  the  happinefs  of  man- 
"  kind."  .         ' 

The  appendir;  now  alluded  to  makes  No.  X.  of 
the  packet  fent  to  the  Bookfellei"  Gofclien  of  Lcip- . 
zig,  and  is  dated  December  1788.  It  is  alio  found 
in  the  book  On  Inflrn^ion,  Sec.  printed  at  Leipzig 
in  1789,  by  VValther.  Here,  however,  the  Appen- 
dix is  dated  January  1789.  This  edition  agrees  in 
the  main  with  that  in  the  book  from  which  I 
have  made  fuch  copious  extracts,  but  differs  in 
fome  particulars  that  are  not  unworthy  of  remark. 

"  In  the  packet  it  is  written,  "  T/ie  Undtr- 
*'  A?'''^'^  ^^  J^cmber  and  ^gent  of  the  German 
*'  Urdon^  in  order  to  reftify  feveral  milfakes  and 
*'  injurious  (landers  and  accufations,  thinks  it  ne- 
'*  ccfTary  thatthe  public  itfelFfliould  judge  of  their 
**  objeft  and  conduft." — Towards  the  end  it  is 
faid,  "  and  all  who  have  any  doubts  may  apply 
"  to  thofe  named  below,  and  are  invited  to  write 
**  to  them."  No  names  however  are  fubjoined. 
In  the  Appendix  to  the  book  it  is  only  faid,  **  the 
*'  agent  of  the  German  Union,"  &c.  and  "  per- 
"  fons  who  widi  to  be  better  informed  may  write 
"  to  the  agent,  under  the  addrefs.  To  tkc  German 
*'  Union — under  cover  to  the  (hop  of  VValther, 
"  bookfeller  in  Leipzig." — Here  too  there  are  no 
names,  and  it  does  not  appear  that  any  perfon  has 
chofen  to  come  from  behind  the  curtain*, 

*  Walther  13  an  eminent  bookfeller.  and  carries  on  the  bufinefsof 
publifhing  to  a  great  extent,  both  at  Leipzig  and  other  places. 
He  was  the  publifher  of  the  moft  virulent  attacks  on  the  King  of 
Pruffia's  Edift  on  Rchgion,  and  was  brought  into  much  trouble 
about  the  Commentary  by  Pott  which  is  mentioned  above.  He 
alfo  publiOies  many  cf  the  fceptical  and  licentious  writings  which 
have  fo  much  difturbed  the  peace  of  Germany. 

There 


Chap.  I'li.  the  geeman  union.  227 

There  has  already  been  fo  much  faid  about  En^ 
liyhteninZi  that  the  reader  mufi:  be  ahrjoft  tired  of  it. 
He  is  allured  in  this  performance  that  the  Illumina- 
tion propofed  by  the  Union  is  not  that  of  the  f^Vol-- 
fenbuttle  Fragments^  nor  that  of  Horus,  nor  that  of* 
Bahrdt.  The  Fragments  and  Florus^xe  books  which 
aim  diredly,  and  without  any  concealment,  to  de- 
ftroy  the  authority  of  our  Scriptures,  either  as  hiilo- 
rical  narrations  or  as  revelations  of  the  intentions  of 
providence  and  of  the  future  profpecfts  of  man.  The 
Theological  writings  of  Bahrdt  are  grofs  perverfions, 
both  of  the  fenfe  of  the  text,  and  of  the  moral  in- 
■fructions  contained  in  it,  and  are  perhaps  the  mcll 
exceptionable  performances  on  the  fubjetfl.  They 
are  ftigmatifed  as  abfurd,  and  coarfe,  and  indecent, 
even  by  the  writers  on  the  fame  fide  ;  yet  the  work 
recommended  (o  often  as  containing  the  elements  of 
that  Illumination  which  the  world  has  to  exped  from 
the  Union,  not  only  coincides  in  its  general  princi- 
ples with  thefe  performances,  but  is  almoft  an  ab- 
flrad  of  fome  of  them,  particularly  of  his  Popular 
Religion^  his  Paraphrafe  on  the  Sermon  on  the  Mounts 
and  his  Morality  of  Religion.  We  have  alfo  feen 
that  the  book  on  the  Liberty  of  the  Prefs  is  quoted 
and  recommended  as  an  elementary  book.  Nay 
both  the  work  on  Inftruclion  and  that  on  the  Liber- 
ty of  the  Prefs  are  now  known  to  beBahrdt's. 

But  thefe  principles,  exceptionable  as  they  may 
be,  are  probably  not  the  worll:  of  the  inftitution. 
We  fee  that  the  outfide  alone  of  the  Union  is  to  be 
(hevsm  to  the  public.  Barthels  felicitates  the  public 
that  there  is  no  fubordination  and  blind  obedience 
to  unknown  Superiors;  yet,  in  the  fame  paragraph, 
he  tells  us  that  there  is  a  fecret  plan  of  operations, 
that  is  known  only  to  the  Centre  and  the  Confiden* 
tial  Brethren.  The  author  of  Fuller  Information 
lays  that  he  has  this  plan,  and  would  print  it,  were 

he 


228  THE  GERMAN  UNION.        CHAP.  ill. 

he  not  refl rained  by  a  promife*.  He  gives  us  enough 
however  to  ihovv  u«  that  ihe  higlier  myfleries  of  the 
Union  are  precifely  the  fame  with  thofe  of  the  Ulu- 
minati.  Chrillianity  is  exprefsly  faid  to  have  been 
a  Mydical  Aflbciation,  and  its  founder  the  Grand 
Maiier  of  a  Lodge.  I'he  Apoflles,  Peter,  James, 
John,  and  Andrew,  were  the  Electa  and  Brethren  of 
the  Third  Degree,  and  initiated  into  all  the  myQe- 
ries.  The  remaining  Aportles  were  only  of  the 
Second  Degree  ;  and  the  Seventy-two  were  of  the 
Firll  degree.  Into  this  degree  ordinary  Chriftians 
may  be  admitted,  and  prepared  for  further  advance- 
ment.     The  great  millery  is,  that  J C was  a 

Naturalijl^  and  taught  the  dcdrine  of  a  Supreme 
Mind,  the  Spedaior,  but  not  the  Governer  of"  the 
World,  pretty  nearly  in  the  fenfe  of  the  Stoics. 
The  Initiated  Brethren  were  tobe  intruded  by  read- 
ing proper  books.  Thofe  particularly  recommend- 
ed are  Baf  dozvs  Pradical  Knowledge^  Eberhard's 
Apoloo^y  for  Socrates^  Bahrdt's  Apology  for  Reafon^ 
SteinbardC s  Syftem  of  Moral  Education^  Meiners  An- 
cient Myfleries^  Bahrdt's  Letters  on  the  Bible^  and 

Bahrdt's    Completion  of  the  Plan  and  Aim  of  J 

C .     Thefe  books  are  of  the  mofl:  Antichridian 

charader,  and  foms  of  th;ra  aim  at  (baking  oif  all 
moral  obligation  u-hatever. 

Along  with  thefe  religious  dodrines,  are  incul- 
cated the  moft  dangerous  maxims  of  civil  conducl. 
The  defpotifm  that  is  aimed  at  over  the  minds  of 
men,  and  the  machinations  andjintrigues  for  obtain- 
ing poffefiion  of  places  of  truA  and  influence,  are 
equally  alarming;  but  being  perfedly  fimilar  to  thofe 
of  the  IHuminati,  it  is  needlefs  to  mention  tliem. 

The  cliief  intelligence  that  we  get  from  this 
autlior  is  that  the  Centre  of  the  Union  is   at  a 

*  This  I  find  to  be  falfe,  and  the  book  a  common  job. 

honfe 


feHAP.   iii.  THE   GERiMAN  UNION.  22^ 

houfe  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Halle.  It  is  a  fort 
of  tavern,  in  a  vineyard  immediately  without  the 
city.  This  was  bought  by  Doftor  Karl  Frie- 
DERicH  Bahrdt,  and  fitted  up  for  the  amufement 
of  the  Univerfity  Students.  He  calls  it  BahRDt's 
PvUHE  (Bahrdt's  Repofe).  The  author  thinks  that 
this  mult  have  been  the  work  of  the  Affociation, 
becaufe  Bahrdt  had  not  a  farthing,  and  was  total- 
ly unable  for  fuch  an  undertaking.  He  may  how- 
ever have  been  the  contriver  of  the  inilitution^ 
He  has  never  affirmed  or  denied  this  in  explicit 
terms ;  nor  has  he  ever  faid  who  are  the  XXH  co- 
adjutors. Wucherer,  an  eminent  bookfeller  at 
Vienna,  feemsto  have  been  one  of  the  moft  active 
hands,  and  in  one  year  admitted  near  two  hun- 
dred members,  among  whom  is  his  own  ihoe- 
maker*  He  has  publiflied  fome  of  the  mod  profli- 
gate pamphlets  which  have  yet  appeared  in  Ger- 
manyi 

The  publication  of  the  lift  of  members  alarmed 
the  nation  ;  perfons  were  aftoniflied  to  find  them- 
felves  in  every  quarter  in  the  midft  of  villains  who 
were  plotting  againft  the  peace  and  happinefs  of 
the  country,  and  deftroying  every  fent'iment  of  re- 
ligion, morality,  or  loyalty.  Many  perfons  pub' 
lilhed  in  thenevvrpapers  and  literary  journals  aflir- 
mations  and  proofs  of  the  falfe  inlertion  of  their 
names.  Some  acknowledged  that  ciiriofity  had 
made  them  enter  the  Affociation,  and  even  conti- 
nue their  correfpondence  with  the  Centre,  in  or- 
der to  learn  fomething  of  what  the  Fraternity  had 
in  view,  but  declared  that  they  had  never  taken 
any  part  in  its  proceedings.  But,  at  the  fame  time, 
it  is  certain  that  many  Reading  Societies  had  been 
fet  up  during  thefe  tranfadions,  in  every  quarter 
of  Germany,  and  that  the  oftenfible  managers 
were  in^general  of  very  fufpicious'charadtei's,  both 

2  F  as 


7^0  THE   GERMAN  UNION.  CHAP.  IIIV 

as  to  morals  aiid  loyalty.  The  Union  had  aftual- 
ly  fet  up  a  prefs-  of  their  own  at  Calbe,  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  Halberftadt.  Every  day  there 
appeared  llrouger  proofs  of  a  combiuation  of  the 
journalifts,  Reviewers,  and  even  of  the  publiO^^rs 
and  bookfellers,  to  fupprcfs  the  vi^ritings  which 
appeared  in  defence  of  the  civil  and  ecclcfialtical 
conftitutions  of  the  States  of  Germany.  The  ex- 
tenfive  literary  manufaLlure  of  Germany  is  carri- 
ed on  in  fuch  a  manner  that  it  is  impoiiible  for  any 
thing  lels  than  the  joint  operation  of  the  whole 
federated  powers  to  prevent  this.  The  fpirit  of 
freethinking  and  innovating  in  religions,  matters 
had  been  remarkably  prevalent  in  the  dominions 
of  the  King  of  Pruffia,  having  been  much  encou- 
raged by  ihe  indifference  of  the  lare  King.  One  of 
the  vilell  things  pablifhed  on  this  occafion  was  an  a- 
bominabie  farce,  called  the  Religion  Edid\.  This 
was  traced  to  Bahrdt's  Rube,  and  the  Doclcr  was  ar- 
refled,  and  all  his  papers  feized  and  ranfacked.  The 
civil  Magiilrate  was  glad  of  an  opportunity  of  expif- 
cating  the  German  Union,  which  common  fame  had 
alfo  traced  hither.  The  correfpondence  was  ac- 
cordingly exomined,  and  many  difcoveries  were' 
made,  which  there  was  no  occafion  to  communicate 
to  the  public,  and  the  profecution  of  the  bulinefs  of 
the  Union  was  by  this  means  flopped.  But  the  per- 
fons  in  high  office  at  Berlin  agree  in  faying  that  the 
AlTociation  of  writers  and  other  turbulent  perfons  in 
Germany  has  been  but  very  faintly  hit  by  this  blow, 
and  is  almoll  as  acflive  as  ever. 

The  German  Union  appears  a  mean  and  precipi- 
tate AfTociation.  The  Centre,  the  Archives,  and 
the  Secretary  are  contemptible.  All  the  Archives 
that  were  found  were  the  plans  and  lifts  of  the  mem- 
bers and  a  parcel  of  letters  of  correlpondence.  The 
correfpondence  and  other  bufmefs  was  managed  by 

an 


CHAP.   111.  TrtE    GERMAN    UNION.  23I 

an  old  man  in  fame  very  inferior  office  or  judicato- 
ry, who  lived  at  bed  and  board  in  Bahidi's  houfe  for 
about  iix  Ihillings  a  week,  having  a  cheil  of  papers 
and  a  writing-deik  in  the  corner  of  the  common 
room  of  the  houfe. 

Bahrdt  gives  a  long  narration  of  his  concern  in 
the  affair,  but  we  can  put  little  confidence  in  what 
he  fays  :  yet  as  we  have  no  better  authority,  I  ftiall 
give  a  very  fhort  abflrad  of  it,  as  follows  : 

He  faid,  that  he  learned  Cofmo-political  Free 
Mafonry  in  England,  when  he  Vv^as  there  getting  pu- 
pils for  his  academy— -but  neglet5^ed  it  en  his  return 
to  Germany.  Some  time  after  his  fettlement  he 
was  roufed  by  a  vifit  from  a  flranger  who  paffed  for 
an  Englifhman,  but  whom  he  afterwards  found  to  be 
a  Dutch  officer— (he  gives  a  defcription  which 
bears  confiderable  refemblance  to  the  Prince  or  Ge- 
neral Salms  who  gave  fo  much  difturbance  to  the 
States  General)— He  was  flill  more  excited  by  an 
anonymous  letter  giving  him  an  account  of  a  Society 
which  was  employed  in  the  inflrudion  of  mankind, 
and  a  plan  of  their  mode  of  operations,  nearly  the 
fame  with  that  of  No.  HI.  He  then  fet  up  a  Lodge 
of  Free  Mafonry  on  Cofmo-political  principles,  as  a 
preparation  for  engaging  in  this  great  plan— he  was 
itopped  by  the  National  Lodge,  becaufe  he  had  no 
patent  from  it.— 1  his  obliged  him  to  work  in  fe- 
cret.— He  met  with  a  gentleman  in  a  coflee  houfe, 
who  entreated  him  to  go  on,  and  promiled  him  great 
afiillance— this  he  got  from  time  to  time,  as  he  ilood 
moft  in  need  of  it,  and  he  now  found  that  he  was 
working  in  concert  with  many  powerful  though  un- 
known friends  each  in  his  own  circle.  The  plan 
of  operation  of  the  XXH.  was  gradually  unfolded  to 
him,  and  he  got  iblemn  promifes  of  being  made  ac- 
quainted with  his  colleagues.  But  he  now  found, 
that  after  he  had  fo  eifentially    ferved   their   noble 

cauie 


232  THE    GERMAN    UNION.  CHAP,    ill, 

caufe,  lie  was  dropped  by  them  in  the  hour  of  dan- 
ger, and  thus  was  made  the  facrifice  for  the  public 
good.  The  laft  packet  which  he  received  was  a  re- 
qtieu  from  a  Friend  to  the  Union  to  print  two  per- 
formances fent  him,  with  a  promife  of  loo  dahlers 
for  his  trouble.  'J'hefe  were  the  abominable  farce 
called  the  Religion  Edi61,  and  fome  DilTertations  on 
that  Royal  Proclamation. 

He  then  gives  an  account  of  his  fyflem  of  Free 
Mafonry,  not  very  difi'erent  from  Weiftiaupt's  Ma- 
fonic  Chriflianity — and  concludes  with  the  follow- 
ing abftracl:  of  the  advantages  of  the  Union — Ad- 
vancement of  Science — A  general  inteieil  and  con- 
cern for  Artsand  Learning — Excitementof  Talents- 
Check  of  Scribbling — Good  Education — Liberty — ; 
Equality — Hofpitality — Delivery  of  many  from  AJis- 
fortunes — Union  of  the  Leai  ned — and  at  laif — pei> 
haps — Amen. 

What  the  meaning  of  this  enigmatical  concluiion 
is  we  can  only  guefs — and  our  conjectures  cannot  be 
very  favourable. 

'  The  narration,  of  which  this  is  a  very  fliort  in- 
dex, is  abundantly  entertaining;  but  the  opinion  of 
the  moli  intelligent  is,  that  it  is  in  a  great  meafure 
ficliticus,  and  that  the  contrivance  of  the  Union  is 
moflly  his  own.  Although  it  could  not  be  legally 
proved  that  he  was  the  author  of  the  farce,  every 
perfon  in  court  was  convinced  that  he  was,  and  in- 
deed it  is  perfectly  in  Bahrdi's  very  iingular  manner. 
This  invalidates  the  whole  of  his  llory — and  he  af- 
terwards acknowledges  the  faice  (at  leafr  by  impli- 
cation) in  feveral  writings,  and  boafls  of  it. 

For  thefe  reafons  I  have  omitted  the  narration  in 
detail.  Some  information,  however,  wjiich  I  have 
received  hnce,  feems  to  confirm  his  account,  while 
it  diminifiies  its  importance.  I  now  find  that  the 
book  called  Fuller  Informaiion  is  the  performance  01 

a  ck)gyma:i 


CHAP.   HI.  THE    GERMAN    UNION.  53^ 

a  clergyman  called  Srbu/z,  of  the  lo'vvefl  clafs,  and 
by  no  means  of  an  eminent  charader. — Another 
performance  in  the  form  of  a  dialogue  between  X, 
y,  and  Z,  giving  nearly  the  fame  account,  is  by  Pott, 
tlie  dear  friend  of  Bradlit  and  of  liis  Union,  and  au- 
thor of  the  Commentary  on  the  Edid.  Schntz  got 
his  materials  from  one  Roper,  an  expelled  liudent 
of  debauched  morals,  who  fubfilied  by  copying  and 
vending  filthy  manufcripts.  Bahrdt  fays,  that  he 
found  him  naked  and  ilarving,  and,  out  of  pity, 
look  him  into  his  houfe,  and  employed  him  as  an 
amanuenfis.  Roper  ftole  the  papers  at  various  times, 
tnking  them  with  him  to  Leipzig,  whither  he  went 
on  pretence  of  ficknefs.  At  lall  Schutz  and  he  went 
to  Berlin  together,  and  gave  the  information  on 
which  Bahrdt  was  put  in  prifon.  In  fhort  they  all 
appear  to  have  been  equally  profligates  and  traitors 
to  each  other,  and  exhibit  a  dreadful,  but  I  hope  a 
ufeful  picture  of  the  influence  of  this  Illumination 
which  fo  wonderfully  faicinates  Germany. 

This  is  all  the  dired  information  that  I  can  pick 
lip  of  the  founder  and  the  proceedings  of  the  Ger- 
man Union.  The  projecl  is  coarfe,  and  palpably 
mean,  aiming  at  the  dahiers  of  entry-money  and  of 
annual  contribution,  and  at  the  publication  and  pro- 
fitable fale  of  Dr.  Eahrdt's  books.  This  circumdance 
gives  it  firong  features  of  its  parentage — Philofpeaks 
of  Bahrdt  in  his  Final  Declaration  in  terms  of  con- 
tempt and  abhoience.  There  is  nothing  ingenious, 
rjothing  new,  nothing  enticing,  in  the  plans;  and 
the  immediate  purpofe  of  indulging  the  licentious 
tafle  of  the  public  comes  fo  frequently  before  the 
e\e,  that  it  Dears  all  the  marks  of  that  groffneis  of 
mind,  precipitancy,  and  impatient  overfight  that 
are  to  be  found  in  all  the  voluminous  writings  of 
Dr.  Bahrdt.  Many  in  Germany,  however,  afcribe 
the  Union  to  Weilhaupt,  and  fay  that  it  is  the  lUu- 


234  "^HE    GERMAN    UNION.  CHAP.   111. 

mlnati  working  in  another  form.  There  is  no  denv- 
ing  that  the  principles,  and  even  the  manner  of 
proceeding,  are  the  fame  in  every  efi'ential  circum- 
l.lance.  Many  paragraphs  of  the  declamations  cir- 
culated through  Germany  with  the  plans,  are  traii- 
fcribed  verbatim  from  Weifhiiupt's  Correfled  fyflem 
of  Illiiminatijhi.  Much  of  the  work  On  Iiijlru^iion^ 
and  the  Means  for  promoting  it^  is  very  nearly  a  copy 
of  the  fame  work,  blended  with  flovenly  extracts 
from  feme  of  his  own  writings — There  is  the  fame 
feries  of  deluhons  from  the  beginning,  as  in  lUnmi- 
iiatifm — Free  Mafonry  and  Chrillianity  are  coai- 
ponnded — firfl:  with  mark?  of  refped — then  Chrif- 
tianity  is  twifted  to  a  purpofe  foreign  from  it,  but 
the  fame  with  that  aimed  at  by  Weifliaupt — then  it 
is  thrown  away  altogether,  and  Natural  Religion  and 
Atheifm  fubllituted  for  it — For  no  perfon  will  have 
a  moment's  hefitation  in  faying,  that  this  is  the  creed 
of  the  author  of  the  books  On  hijlni&ion  and  On  the 
Liberty  of  the  Prefs,  Nor  can  he  doubt  that  the 
political  principles  are  equally  anarchical  with 
thofe  of  the  llluminati, — The  endeavours  alfo  to 
get  pofTeiiion  of  public  ofnces — of  places  of  edu- 
cation— of  the  public  mind,  by  the  Iveadin,^  So- 
cieties, and  by  publicatioris — are  fo  many  tran- 
li^ripts  from  the  llluminati.  Add  to  this,  that  Dr. 
Bahrdt  was  an  Illuminatiis' — and  v^-rote  the  Better 
than  Horiu^  at  the  command  of  Weilhaupt.  Nay, 
it  is  v/ell  known  that  Weifliaupt  was  twice  or 
thrice  at  Bahrdt*s  Ruhe  during  thofe  tranf^dtions, 
and  that  lie  zcaloufly  promoted  the  forniaticn  cf 
Reading  Societies  in  feveral  places, — But  I  am  ra- 
th(r  of  the  opinioii  that  Weifliaupt  made  thofe 
vifirs  in  order  to  keep  Dr.  Bahrdt  within  Ibmt; 
bounds  of  decency,  and  to  hinder  him  from  hi:rt- 
ing-  t]:c  cr.ufc  by  his  precipitancy,  v>  hen  fpurrcd  on 
by  the  want  of  money.   Weilhaupt  could  not  work 

in 


4 


TJHAP.   iii.  THE    GERMAN    UNION.  235 

in  fuch  an  unilciirul  manner.  But  he  vvculd  be 
very  glad  of  fnch  help  as  this  coarfe  toc^l  could 
give  him — and  Bahrdt  gave  great  help;  for,  when 
he  was  imprifoned  and  his  papers  feized,  his  Ar- 
chives, as  he  called  them,  ihcwcd  that  there 
v.7fre  many  Heading  Socibties  which  his  proj^ft 
liad  drawn  togelher.  The  Pniiiian  States  had 
above  thirtv,  and  the  number  of  readers  was  af- 
toniPningly  great — and  it  was  found,  that  the  per- 
nicious books  had  really  found  tlieir  way  into 
every  hut,  Bahrdt,  by  dcfcending  a  (lory  lower 
than  VVeifiiaupt,  has  greatly  incrcafed  the  number 
of  his  pupils. 

But,  althougii  I  cannot  confrler  the  German 
Li f don  as  a  formal  revival  of  the  Order  under  an- 
ot'ier  name,  I  muft  hold  thofc  United^  and  the 
Kir-nibers  of  thole  Heading  Societies,  as  Illuminati 
and  Minervals,  I  miiil  even  confider  the  Union 
Tit  a  part  of  Spartacus'  v.'ork.  The  plans  of  Wei- 
fhaupt  were  partly  carried  into  cffe<St  in  their  dif- 
ferent branches — they  were  pointed  out,  and  the 
way  to  carry  them  on  arc  didinftly  defcribed  in 
tlic  private  corrcfpondence  of  the  Order — It  re- 
quired little  genius  to  attempt  them  in  imitation, 
B'ltirdt  made  the  attempt,  and  in  part  fucceeded. 
Weilhaupt's  hopes  were  well  founded — The  lea- 
ven was  not  only  dif^ributed,  but  the  manap-ement 
of  the  fermentation  was  now  underdood,  and  it 
went  on  apace. 

It  is  to  be  remarked,  that  nothing  was  found 
among  Bahrdt*s  papers  to  fuppoit  the  flory  he 
writes  in  his  diary — no  fuch  correfpondences — 
but  enough  for  detefting  many  of  thefe  Societies. 
Many  others  however  were  foimd  unconncclcd 
v/ith  Bahrdt'sRuhe,  not  of  better  charafter,  cither 
as  to  Morality  or  Loyalty,  and  fome  of  them  con- 
fiderable   and  expenfive;  and  many  proofs  v;ere 

found 


23^  "^HE    GERMAN    UNION.  GUAP.   ius 

found  of  a  combination  to  force  the  public  to  a 
certaiii  way  of  thinking,  by  the  management  of 
the  Reviews  and  Journals.  The  extenfive  dealings 
of  Nicholai  of  Berlin  gave  him  great  weight  in 
the  book-making  trade,  vviiich  in  Germany  I'ur- 
palfcs  all  our  conceptions.  The  catalogues  oi  new 
writings  in  flieets,  which  are  printed  twice  a-year, 
for  each  of  the  fairs  at  Leipzig  and  Frankfort, 
would  aftonifh  a  Britilh  reader  by  the  number. 
The  booklcUers  meet  there,  and  at  one  glance 
fee  the  whole  republic  of  literature,  and,  like  \\o- 
man  fenators,  decide  the  fentiments  of  diltant 
provinces.  By  thus  feeing  the  whole  together, 
their  fpeculations  are  national,  and  they  really 
have  it  in  their  power  to  give  what  turn  they 
pleafe  to  the  literature  and  to  the  fentiments  of 
Germany.  Still  however  they  mud  be  induced  by 
motives.  The  motive  of  a  merchant  is  gain,  and 
every  object  appears  in  his  eye  fomething  by 
which  money  may  be  made.  Therefore  in  a  lux- 
urious and  voluptuous  nation,  licentious  and  free- 
thinking  books  will  abound.  The  writers  fuggell:, 
and  the  bookfellers  think  how  the  thing  will  tickle. 
Yet  it  muft  not  be  inferred,  from  the  prevalence 
of  fuch  books,  that  fuch  is  the  common  fenfe  of 
mankind,    and  that  the  writings  are  not  the  cor- 

7  <0 

ruptcrs,  but  the  corrupted,  or  that  they  are  what 
they  ought  to  be,  becaufe  they  pleafe  the  public. 
We  need  only  pulli  the  matter  to  an  extremityj 
and  its  caule  appears  plain.  Filthy  prints  will  al- 
ways create  a  greater  crowd  before  the  fliop  win- 
dow than  the  lineft  performances  of  Wollett.  Li- 
centious books  will  be  read  with  a  fluttering  eager- 
nefs,  as  long  as  they  are  not  univerfally  permitted  ; 
and  pitiable  will  be  the  ftate  of  the  nation  when 
their  number  makes  them  familiar  and  no  longer 
captivating. 

But 


CflAP.  ill.  THE    GERMAN    UNION.  237 

But  although  it  mud  be  confeffed  that  great  en- 
couragement was  given  to  the  fceptical,  infidel, 
and  licentious  writings  in  Germany,  we  fee  that 
it  was  flill  necefTary  to  praftife  feduftion.  The 
Religionijl  was  made  to  expeft  Tome  engaging  ex- 
hibition of  his  faith.  The  Citizen  muft  be  told 
that  his  civil  connexions  are  refpeded,  and  will 
be  improved  ;  and  all  are  told  that  good  manners 
or  virtue  is  to  be  fupported.  Man  is  fuppofed  to 
be,  in  very  effential  circumilances,  what  he  wifhes 
to  be,  and  feels  he  ought  to  be  ;  and  he  is  cor- 
rupted by  means  of  falfeihood  and  trick.  The 
principles  by  which  he  is  wheedled  into  wicked- 
nefs  in  the  firft  inilance,  are  therefore  fuch  as  are 
really  addreffed  to  the  general  fentiments  of  man- 
kind :  thefe  therefore  lliould  be  confidered  as 
more  expreflive  of  the  public  mind  than  thofe 
which  he  afterwards  adopts,  after  this  artificial 
education.  Therefore  Virtue,  Patriotifm,  Loy- 
alty, Veneration  for  true  and  undefiled  Religion, 
are  really  acknowledged  by  thofe  corrupters  to  be 
the  prevailing  fentiments  ;  and  they  are  good  if 
this  prevalence  is  to  be  the  teft  of  worth.  The 
mind  that  is  otherwife  afFefted  by  them,  and  hy- 
pocritically ufes  them  in  order  to  get  hold  of  the 
uninitiated,  that  he  maj  in  time  be  made  to  cherifli 
the  contrary  fentiments,  cannot  be  a  good  mind, 
notwithllanding  any  pretcnfions  it  may  make  to 
the  love  of  mankind. 

No  man,  not  VVeifliaupt  himfelf,  has  made 
flronger  profeliions  of  benevolence,  of  regard  for 
thehappinefs  of  mankind,  and  of  every  thing  that 
is  amiable,  than  Dr.  Bahrdt.  It  may  not  be  ufe- 
Icfs  to  enquire  what  cffedt  fuch  principles  have  had 
on  his  own  mind,  and  thofe  of  his  chief  coadju- 
tors. Deceit  of  every  kind  is  diftionourable  ;  and 
the  deceit  that  is  profefledly  employed  in  the  pro- 

2  G  ccedings 


2^8  THE    GERMAN    UNION.  CHAPlii. 


D 


ceedings  of  the  Union  is  no  exception.  No  pi- 
ous fraud  ivhatcver  muft  be  ul'cd,  and  pure  reli- 
gion muft  be  prefcnted  to  the  view  without  all 
difguife. 

'*  The  more  fair  Virtue's  feen,  tlie  more  flie  charms. 
"  Safe,  plain,  and  eafy,  are  her  artlcfs  ways. 
"  With  face  ere(fl,  her  eyes  look  ftrait  before  ; 
"  For  dauntlefs  is  her  march,  her  ftep  fecure. 

"  Not  fo,  pale  Fraud — now  here  fiie  turns,  now  there, 

*'  Still  feeking  darker  (hades,  fecure  in  none, 

"  Looks  often  back,  and  wheeling  round  and  round, 

*'  Sinks  headlong  in  the  danger  fhe  would  fliun." 

The  mean  motive  of  the  Protellant  Sceptic  is 
as  inconfiftent  with  our  notions  of  honefiy  as  with 
our  notions  of  honour  ;  and  our  fufpicions  are 
juftly  ra'-fed  cf  the  chara£ler  of  Dr.  Bahrdt  and 
liis  a{rociatcs,even  although  we  donotfuppofe  that 
their  aim  is  the  total  abolifuing  of  religion.  With 
propriety  therefore  may  we  make  fom.e  enquiry 
about  their  lives  and  conduft.  Fortunately  this 
is  eafy  in  the  prefent  inllance.  A  man  that  has 
turned  every  eye  upon  himfeif  can  hardly  efcapc 
obfervation.  But  it  isnotfo  eafy  to  get  fair  infor- 
mation. The  peculiar  fituation  of  Dr.  Bahrdt, 
and  the  caufe  between  him  and  the  public,  are  of 
all  others  the  moll  productive  of  millake,  mif- 
reprefentation,  obloquy,  and  injullice.  But  even 
here  \\e  are  fortunate.  Many  remarkable  parts 
of  his  life  are  eftabliflied  by  the  moll  refpedlabie 
teftimony,  or  by  judicial  evidences;  and,  to  make 
all  fure,  he  has  written  his  own  life.  1  ihall  infert 
nothing  here  that  is  not  made  out  by  the  two  lad 
modes  of  proof,  rcfting  nothing  on  the  firft,  how- 
ever reipedable  the  evidence  may  be.  But  I  mufl 
obfervc,  that  his  life  was  alfo  written  by  his  dear 
friend  Pott,  the   partner  of  Walther  the  bookfel- 

Icr. 


CHAP.   iil.  THE    GERMAN    UNION.  239 

]er.     The  dor}- of  this  publication  is  curious,  and 
it  is  initiu6tive. 

Bahrdt  was  in  priion,  and  in  great  poverty.  He 
intended  to  write  liis  own  life,  to  be  printed  by 
Walther.  under  a  fi6litious  name,  and  in  this  work 
he  intended  to  indulge  his  fpleen  and  hisdiflikc  of 
all  thofe  who  had  offended  him,  and  in  particular 
all  prieils,  and  rulers,  and  judges,  who  had  given 
him  f )  macli  trouble.  He  knew  that  the  ilrange, 
and  many  of  them  fcandalous  anecdotes,  with 
which  he  had  fo  liberally  interlarded  many  of  his 
former  publications,  would  let  curiofity  on  tiptoe, 
and  would  procure  a  rapid  iale  as  foon  as  the  pub- 
lic ftiould  gucls  that  it  was  his  ov7n  performance, 
by  the  fingniar  but  fignificant  name  which  the 
pretended  author  v/ould  affume.  He  had  almoft 
agreed  with  Walther  for  a  thoufand  dahlcrs, 
(about  L.  200),  when  he  wasimprifoned  for  being 
the  author  of  the  farce  fo  often  named,  and  of 
the  commentary  on  the  Religion  Edi6l^  written  by 
Pott,  and  for  the  proceedings  of  the  German  Uni- 
on. He  wasrcfufed  the  ufe  of  pen  and  ink.  He 
then  applied  to  Pott,  and  found  means  to  corref- 
pond  witli  him,  and  to  give  him  part  of  his  life 
already  written,  and  materials  for  the  reft,  con- 
filting  of  llories,  and  anecdotes,  and  correfpon- 
dence.  Pott  fent  him  feveral  facets,  with  which 
he  was  fo  pleafed,  that  they  concluded  a  bargain. 
Bahrdt  fays,  that  Pott  was  to  have  400  copies,  and 
that  the  reft  wasto  go  to  the  maintenance  of  Bahrdt 
and  his  family,  coniifting  of  his  wife,  daughter,  a 
Chriftina  and  her  childvcn  who  lived  with  them, 
&:c.  Pott  gives  a  different  account,  and  the  truth 
was  diiferent  from  both,  but  of  little  confequence 
to  us.  Bahrdt's  papers  had  been  feiz^^d,  and  fearch- 
cd  for  evidence  of  his  traniactions,  but  the  ftrift- 
eft  attention  was  paid  to  the  precife  points  of  the 

charg 


240  THE  GERMAN  UNION.       CHAP,  ii'l, 

charge,  and  no  paper  was  abflrafled  which  did 
not  relate  to  thete.  All  others  were  kept  in  a  Teal- 
ed  room.  Pott  procured  the  removal  of  theicals 
and  got  poileffion  of  them.  Bahrdt  lays,  that  his 
wife  and  daughter  came  to  him  in  prifon,  almolt 
ftarving,  and  told  him  that  now  that  the  room  was 
opened,  Pott  had  made  an  offer  to  write  for  their 
fupport,  if  he  had  the  ufe  of  thcfe  papers — that 
this  was  the  conclufion  of  the  bargain,  and  that 
Pott  took  away  all  the  papers.  N.  B.  Pott  was  the 
affociate  of  Walther,  who  had  great  confidence 
in  him  ( ^necdoteubuch  fur  meinen  Is ih e n  A;iitjb ru- 
der^ p.  400)  and  had  condu(fted  the  bu'fincfs  of 
Stark's  book,  as  has  been  already  mentioned. 
No  man  was  better  known  toBahrdt,  for  they  had 
long  adlcd  together  as  chief  hands  in  the  Union. 
He  would  therefore  write  the  life  of  its  founder 
con  mnore^  and  it  might  be  expeaed  to  be  a  rare 
and  tickling  performance.  And  indeed  it  was. 
The  firft  part  of  it  only  was  publifhed  at  this  time  ; 
and  the  narration  reaches  from  the  birth  of  the 
hero  till  his  leaving  Leipzig  in  1768*  The  atten- 
tion is  kept  fully  awake,  but  the  emotions  which 
fuccellively  occupy  the  mind  of  the  reader  are  no- 
thing but  rtrong  degrees  of  averfion,  difguft,  and 
horror.  The  figure  fet  up  to  view  is  a  monfler, 
a  man  of  talents  indeed,  and  capable  of  great  things; 
but  lofl  to  truth,  to  virtue,  and  even  to  the  affec- 
tation of  common  decency — In  fliort,  a  (hamelefs 
profligate. — Poor  Bahrdt  was  aftonifiied, — (tared 
— but,  having  his  wits  about  him,  faw  that  this 
life  would  fell,  and  would  alio  fell  another. — 
Without  lofs  of  time,  he  faid  that  he  would  hold 
Pott  to  his  bargain — but  he  reckoned  without  his 
hoft.  "  No,  no,"  faid  Pott,  "  your  are  not  the 
**  man  I  took  you  for — your  correfpondence  was 
"  put  into   my    hands— I  faw  that  you  had  de- 

"  ccived 


CHAP.    111.  THE    GERMAN    UNION.  2^1 


.it 
n 

it 


"  ceived  me,  and  it  was  my  duty,  as  a  man 
Tv/io  loves  truth  above  all  things,  to  hinder  you 
from  deceiving  the  world.  I  have  not  writ- 
ten the  book  you  defired  me,  I  did  not  work, 
for  you,  but  for  myielf — therefore  you  get 
not  a  grofchen."  "  Why,  Sir,"  faid  Bahrdt,  we 
"  both  know  that  this  won't  do.  You  and  1  have 
**  ahxady  tried  it.  You  received  Stark's  manu- 
"  fcript,  to  be  printed  by  Walther — Waither  and 
*'  you  fent  it  hither  to  Michaelis,  that  1  might  fee 
"  it  during  the  printing.  I  wrote  an  iHuflratino 
and  a  key,  which  made  the  fellow  very  ridicu- 
lous, and  they  were  printed  together,  with  one 
"  title  page. — You  know  that  we  were  caft  in 
*'  court. — Walther  was  obliged  to  print  the  work 
*'  as  Stark  firfh  ordered,  and  we  loft  ail  our  la- 
"  bour. — So  fhall  you  now,  for  I  will  commence 
"  an  action  this  inftant,  and  let  me  fee  with  what 
*'  face  you  will  defend  yourfelf,  within  a  few 
"  weeks  of  your  laft  appearance  in  court.'*  Pott 
faid,  "  You  may  try  this.  My  work  is  already  fold, 
"  and  difperfcd  over  all  Germany — and  I  have 
*'  no  objection  to  begin  yours  to-morrow — believe 
"  me,  it  will  fell."  Bahrdt  pondered — and  refolv- 
ed  to  write  one  himfelf. 

This  is  another  fpecimen  of  the  Union. 
Dr.  Carl  Frederick  Bahrdt  was  born  in 
1741.  His  father  was  then  a  parilli  minifter,  and 
afterwards  ProfefTor  of  Theology  at  Leipzig, 
where  he  died,  in  1775.  The  youth,  when  at 
College,  enlifted  in  the  Pruflian  fervice  as  a  huifar, 
but  was  bought  off  by  his  father.  He  was  M.  k, 
in  1 76 1.  He  became  catechift  in  his  father's 
church,  was  a  popular  preacher,  and  publifhed 
fermons  in  1765,  and  fome  controverfial  writings, 
which  did  him  honour — But  he  then  began  to  in- 
dulge  in  conviviality,   and  in  anonymous  pafqui- 

nades, 


242  THE  GERMAN  UNION,        CHAP,  iil,, 

nacles,  uncommonly  bitter  and  ofi'cnfive.  No  prr- 
ibn  was  late — Profcilbr.' Magiltratei — Clergy- 
men, had  his  chief  notice — alio  lludcnts — and 
even  comrades  and  tVituds.  (Bahrdtfays,  that 
thefc  thinos  might  cut  to  the  quick  but  they  wrre 
alljuO:.)  Unluckily  his  temperament  was  what  the 
atoraical  philolophers  (who  can  explain  every 
thing  by  esthers  and  vibrations)  call  fanguine.  He 
therefore  (Ids  own  word)  was  a  palllonate  admirer 
of  the  ladies.  Coming  home  from  llipper  he  fre- 
quently met  a  young  Mils  in  the  way  to  his  lodg- 
ings, neatly  drilled  in  a  role-coloured  liik  jacket 
and  train,  and  a  fable  bonnet,  coilly,  and  like  a 
lady.  One  evening  (after  Ibnie  old  Kenilh,  as  he 
fays,)  he  faw  the  lady  home.  Some  time  after,  the 
millrefs  of  the  hcuic,  Madam  Godfchufky,  came 
into  his  room,  and  laid  that  the  poor  maiden  was 
pregnant.  He  could  not  help  that — but  it  was  very 
unfortunate,  and  would  ruin  him  if  known. — He 
therefore  gave  the  old  lady  a  bond  for  200  dah- 

lers,  to  be  paid  by  inflalments  of  twenty-live. 

"  The  girl  was  ftnfible,  and  good,  and  as  he  had 
*'  already  paid  for  it,  and  her  converlation  was 
*'  agreeable,  he  did  not  diicontinae  hisacquaint- 
**  ance."  A  comrade  one  day  told  him,  that  one- 
Bel,  a  magidrate,  whom  he  had  lampooned,  knew 
the  affair,  and  v.'ould  bring  it  into  court,  unlels  he 
immediately  retrieved  the  bond.  This  bond  was 
tiic  only  evidence,  but  it  was  enough.  Neither 
Bahrdt  ncr  his  friend  could  raiic  the  money.  B'Jt 
ihey  fell  on  another  contrivance.  They  got  Ma- 
dam Godichufliy  to  meet  them  at  another  houlc, 
in  order  to  receive  the  money.  Bahrdt  wns  in  a 
clofet,  and  his  comrade  vvore  a  fword.  The  wor 
man  could  not  be  prevailed  on  to  produce  the 
bond  rill  Bahrdt  fiiauld  arrive,  and  tlic  money  be 
put  into  her  hands,  with  a  prefcnt  to  herfclf.  The 

comrade 


CHAP.  iil.  THE    GERMAN    UNION.  245 

comrade  tried  to  flutter  her,  and,  drawing  his 
Iword,  rtiewed  her  how  men  fenced — made  paffes 
at  the  wall — and  then  at  her — but  (lie  was  too 
firm — he  then  threw  av/ay  his  fword,  and  began 
to  try  to  force  the  paper  from  her.  She  defended 
lierfclf  a  jjood  while,  but  at  length  lie  got  the  pa- 
per out  of  iier  pocket,  tore  it  in  piece;;,  opened  the 

clofet  door,   and  iaid,   "  There  you  b ,   there 

*'  is  tlie  honourabfe  fellow  whom  you  and  your 
**  wh —  have  bullied — bat  it  is  -vith  rae  you  have 
"  to  do  now,  and  you  know  that  I  can  bring  yoiv 
*'  to  the  gallows."  There  was  a  great  fquabble  to 
be  fure,  fliys  Bahrdr,  but  it  ended,  and  I  thought 
all  was  now  over. — But  Mr.  Bel  had  got  word  of 
it,  and  brought  it  into  court  the  very  day  that 
Bahrdt  was  to  have  made  lome  very  reverend  ap- 
pearance at  church.  In  (hort,  after  many  attempts 
of  his  poor  father  to  fave  him,  he  was  obliged  to 
fend  in  his  gown  and  band,  and  to  quit  the  place. 
It  was  fome  comfort,  liowever,  that  Madam 
Godlchufl<y  and  tlie  young  Mifs  did  not  fare  much 
better.  They  were  both  imprifoned.  Madam  G. 
died  fometime  Sfter  of  ibme  (hocking  difeafe. 
The  couyt  records  give  a  very  different  account  of 
the  whole,  and  particularly  of  the  fciffle;  but 
Bahrdt's  ftory  is  enough. 

Bahrdt  fays,  that  his  father  was  fevere— but  ac- 
knowledges that  his  own  temperament  was  haily, 
(why  does  not  his  lather's  tempei  ament  excule  fome- 
thing  ?  Vibratiuncula  will  explain  everything  or 
nothing.  "  'Therefore  (again)  I  fometimes  forgot 
myfelf.  One  day  I  laid  a  loaded  pi(l:ol  on  the  table, 
and  told  him  that  he  Ihould  meet  with  that  if  he  went 
on  fo.     But  I  was  only  fevenieen." 

Dr.  Bahrdt  was,  of  courfe,  obliged  to  leave  the 
place.  His  friends,  and  Semler  in  particular,  an 
eminent  theological  writer,  who  had  formed  «a  very 

favourable 


Q44  "T"^  GERMAN  UNION.  CHAP.    111. 

favourable  opinion  of  his  uncommon  talents,  were 
alfidnoLis  in  their  endeavours  to  get  an  eflabliftiment 
for  him.  But  his  high  opinion  of  himfelF,  his  tem- 
per, impetuous,  precipitant,  and  overbearing,  and  a 
bitter  fatirical  habit  which  he  had  freely  indulged 
in  his  outfet  of  life,  made  their  endeavours  very  in- 
effeclual. 

At  lart  he  got  a  profeflbrfhip  at  Erlangen,  then  at 
Erfurth,  and  in  1771,  at  GielTen.  But  in  all  tbefe 
places  he  was  no  fooner  fettled  than  he  got  into  dif- 
putes  v^ith  his  colleagues  and  with  the  ellablifhed 
church,  being  a  llrenuous  pariizan  of  the  innova- 
tions which  were  attempted  to  be  made  in  the  doc- 
trines of  chriftianity.  In  his  anonymous  publica- 
tions, he  did  not  trufl:  to  rational  dilcuffion  alone, 
but  had  recourfe  to  ridicule  and  perfonal  anecdotes, 
and  indulged  in  the  mofl  cutting  farcafms  and  grofs 
fcurrility.  Being  fond  of  convivial  company,  his 
income  was  infulficient  for  the  craving  demand, 
and  as  foon  as  he  found  that  anecdote  and  flander 
always  procured  readers,  he  never  ceafed  writing. 
He  had  wonderful  readinefs  and  adlivity,  and  fpared 
neither  friends  nor  foes  in  his  anonymous  perform- 
ances. But  this  could  not  laii,  and  his  avowed  the- 
ological writings  were  fuch  as  could  not  be  futfered 
in  a  ProfelTor  of  Divinity.  The  very  Undents  at 
Gielfen  were  (hocked  with  Tome  of  his  liberties.  Af- 
ter much  wrangling  in  the  church  judicatories  he 
was  juft  going  to  be  difmili'ed,  when  he  got  an  invi- 
tation to  Marfchlins  in  Switzerland  to  fuperintend 
an  academy.  He  went  thither  about  the  year  I776, 
and  formed  the  feminary  after  the  model  of  Bafe- 
dow's  Philanthropine,  or  academy,  at  Deflau,  of 
which  I  have  already  given  fome  account.  It  had 
acquired  fome  celebrity,  and  the  plan  was  peculiarly 
fujted  to  Bahrdt's  talie,  becaufe  it  left  him  at  liberty 
to  introduce  any  fyllem  of  religious  or  irreligious 

opinions 


tertAP.   111.  THE    GERMAN    UNION.  245 

opinions  that  he  pleafed.  He  refolved  to  avail  him- 
felf  of  this  liberty,  and  though  a  clergyman  and 
Doclor  of  Theology,  he  would  outftrip  even  Eafe- 
dow,  who  had  no  ecclehaftical  orders  to  refcrain 
him.  But  he  wanted  the  moderation,  the  prudence 
and  the  principle  of  Bafedow.  He  had,  by  this  time, 
formed  his  opinion  of  mankind,  by  meditating  on 
the  feelings  of  his  own  mind.  His  theory  of  human 
nature  was  fimple — "  The  leading  propenfities,  fays 
he,  of  the  human  mind  are  three — Inftindive  liber- 
ty   (Freyheitftriebe) — inftindive  atflivlty    (Triebe 

fur    Thatigkeit) and     inftindive    love     (Liebes 

triebe)."  1  do  not  wifli  to  mifunderftand  him,  but 
I  can  give  no  other  tranllation. — "  If  a  man  is  ob- 
"  ftrucled  in  the  exercife  of  any  of  thefe  propenli- 
*'  lies  he  fuffers  an  injury. — The  bufmefs  of  a  good 
"  education  therefore  is  to  teach  us  how  they  arc  to 
"  be  enjoyed  in  the  highell  degree." 

We  need  not  be  furprifed  although  the  Do£lor 
fiiould  find  it  difficult  to  manage  the  Cyclopedia 
in  his  Philanthropine  in  fuch  a  manner  as  to  give 
fatisfa6tion  to  the  neighbourhood,  which  was  ha- 
bituated to  very  different  fentiments, — Accord- 
ingly he  found  his  fituation  as  uncomfortable  as  at 
GiefTcn.  He  fays,  in  one  of  his  lateft  performances, 
'  that  the  Grifons  were  a  flrong  inflance  of  the 

immenfe  importance  of  education.  They  knev/ 
"  nothing  but  their  handicrafts,  and  their  minds 
"  were  as  coarfe  as  their  pcrfons."  He  quarrelled 
with  them  all,  and  was  obliged  to  abfcond  after 
lying  fometime  in  arreft. 

He  came  to  Durkheim  or  Turkheim,  w^here 
his  father  was  or  had  been  minifter.  His  literary 
talents  were  well  known* — After  fo me  little  time 
he  got  an  affociation  f  >rmed  for  erc£tir,g  and  fup- 
porting  a  Philanthropine  or  houfe  of  education. 
A  large  fund  was  collcfted,  and  he  was  enabled  to 

2  H  travel 


it 


2^6  THE    GERMAN    t'NIOV.'  CHAP.  IH/ 

travel  into  Holland  and  England,  to  engage  pu- 
pil?, and  v>  as  fmnilhed  vviih  proper  reconirnend- 
atioiis. — On  his  return  the  plan  was  carried  inta 
execution.  The  cal];le  or  reiidence  of  Count  Lcin- 
ing  Hartzburgh,  at  Hcideihcim,  having  gardens, 
park,  and  every  handiome  accommodaLion,  had 
been  fitted  up  tor  it,  and  it  was  coniecrated  by  a 
iolemn  religious  feilival  in  1778. 

But  his  old  misfortunes  purfued  him.  He  had 
indeed  no  colleagues  to  quarrel  with,  but  his 
avowed  publications  became  every  day  more  ob- 
noxious— and  when  any  of  his  anonymous  pieces 
had  a  great  run,  he  could  not  ftifle  his  vanity  and 
conceal  the  author's  name.  Of  thefe  pieces,  fome 
were  even  fnoeking  to  decency.  It  was  indiiferent 
to  him  whether  it  was  friend  or  foe  that  he  abui- 
ed  ;  and  fome  of  them  were  fo  horribly  injurious 
to  the  characters  of  the  molf  relpeClable  men  in 
the  Ibate,  that  he  was  continually  under  the  cor- 
rcflion  of  the  courts  of  jullice.  There  was  hardly 
a  man  of  letters  that  had  ever  been  in  his  com- 
pany who  did  not  fuffer  by  it.  For  his  conilant 
pradlice  was  to  father  every  new  Hep  that  he  took 
towards  Athciim  on  fome  other  perfon  ;  and, 
\  whenever  the  reader  fees,  in  the  beginning  of  a 
book,  any  perfon  celebrated  by  the  author  for 
found  feijfe,  profound  judgment,  accurate  reafon- 
ing,  or  praiied  for  acts  of  friendlhip  and  kindncfs 
to  himfelf,  he  may  be  allured  that,  before  the 
clofe  of  the  book,  this  man  will  convince  Dr. 
Bahrdt  in  {bnic  private  converfation,  that  fome 
doctrine,  cheriftied  and  venerated  by  all  Chrh- 
tians,  is  a  piece  of  kn  a  villi  fuperftition.  So  loft 
was  Dr.  Bahrdt  to  all  fenfe  of  Ihamc.  He  laid  that 
he  held  his  own  opinions  iudependent  of  all  man- 
kind, and  was  indifferent  about  their  praife  or 
their  reproach. 

Bahrdt's 


CHAP.    iii.  THE    GERMAN    UNION.  §47 

Bahrdt's  licentious,  very  licentious  life,  was  tlie 
caufe  of  mod  of  thefe  enormities.  No  income 
could  fuftice  and  he  wrote  for  bread.  The  artful 
manner  in  which  the  literary  manufaclure  of 
Germany  was  conducted,  made  it  impoflibie  to 
hinder  the  rapid  difperfion  of  his  writings  over 
all  Germany  ;  and  the  indelicate  and  coarfe  maw 
of  the  public  was  as  ravenous  as  the  fenfuality  of 
Dr.  Bahrdt,  who  really  battened  in  the  Epicurean 
fl:y.  The  conlequcnce  of  all  this  was  that  he  was 
obliged  to  fly  from  Hcideflieimj  leaving  hisfureties 
in  x\\Q  Pkilantkropins  to  pay  about  14,000  dahlers, 
befides  debts  without  number  to  his  friends.  He 
was  imprifoncd  at  Dienheim,  but  was  releafed  I 
know  not  how,  and  fettled  at  Halle.  There  he 
funk  to  be  a  keeper  of  a  tavern  and  billiard-table, 
and  his  houfe  became  the  refort  and  the  bane  of 
the  ftudents  in  the  Univerfity. — He  was  obliged 
therefore  to  leave  the  city.  He  had  fomehow  got 
funds  which  enabled  him  to  buy  a  little  vineyard, 
prettily  fituated  in  the  neighbourhood.  This  he 
fitted  up  with  every  accommodation  that  could 
invite  the  ftudents,  and  called  it  Bahrdfs  Ruhe, 
We  have  already  feen  the  occupations  of  Dr.  B. 
in  this  Btten  Retiro — Can  we  call  it  otium  cum 
dignitate  ?  Alas,  no  !  He  had  not  lived  two  years 
here,  bullling  and  toiling  for  the  German  Union, 
fometimes  without  a  bit  of  bread — when  he  was 
fent  to  prifon  at  Halle,  and  then  to  Magdeburg, 
where  he  was  more  than  a  year  in  jail.  He  was 
fet  at  liberty,  and  returned  to  Bahrdt's  Rii/ie^  not, 
alas,  to  live  at  eafe,  but  to  lie  dov/n  on  a  lick-bed, 
where,  after  more  than  a  year's  fuifering  increat- 
ing  pain,  he  died  on  the  23d  of  April  1793,  the 
moll  wretched  and  loathfome  vi6tini  of  unbridled 
fenfuality.  The  account  of  his  cafe  is  written  by 
a  friend,  a  Dr.  Jung,  who   profeiles  to  defend  his 

memory 


248  THE    GERMAN    UNION.  CHAP,  ill/ 

memory  and  his  principles.  The  medical  defcrip- 
tion  melted  my  heart,  and  I  am  certain  would 
make  his  bittereil  enemy  weep.  Jung;  rcpeatecily 
fays,  t!~at  the  cafe  was  not  venereal — calls  it  the 
vineyard  dilcafe— the  quickhlver  dileafe,  (he  was 
dying  of  an  unconquerable  falivation,)  and  yet, 
through  the  whole  of  his  narration,  relates  fymp- 
toms  and  fuiterings,  which,  as  a  medical  man,  he 
could  not  pollibly  mean  to  be  taken  in  any  other 
fenfe  than  as  efFedts  of  poK.  He  meant  to  plcafc 
the  enemies  of  poor  Bahrdt,  knowing  that  fuch  a 
man  could  have  no  friends,  and  being  himfelf  ig- 
norant of  what  friendship  or  goodncfs  is.  The 
fate  of  this  poor  creature  affected  me  more  than 
any  thing  I  have  read  of  a  great  while.  All  his 
open  enemies  put  together  have  not  faid  fo  much 
ill  of  him  as  his  trufted  friend  Pott,  and  another 
confident,  whcfe  name  I  cannot  recolledl,  who 
publilhed  in  his  lifetime  an  anonymous  book  call- 
ed Bahrdt  lu'^th  the  Iro7t  Brow — and  this  fellow 
Jung,  under  the  abfurd  mafli  of  friendfiiip,  exhi- 
bited the  loathfome  carcafe  for  a  florin,  like  a  ma- 
Jefaftor's  at  Surgeon's  Hall.  Such  were  the  fruits 
of  the  German  Union,  of  that  Illumination  that 
v/as  to  refine  the  heart  of  man,  and  bring  to  ma- 
turity the  feedsof  native  virtue,  which  are  choak-, 
ed  in  the  hearts  of  other  men  by  fuperlHticn  and 
defpotifni.  We  fee  nothing  but  mutual  treachery 
and  bafedelertion. 

I  do  not  concern  myfelf  with  the  gradual  per- 
verfion  of  Dr.  Bahrdt's  moral  and  religious  opi, 
nions.  But  he  affeded  to  be  the  enlightencr  and 
reformer  of  mankind;  and  affirmed  that  all  the 
milchiefs  in  life  originated  from  defpotifm  fup- 
ported  by  fuperflition.  "  In  vain,"  lays  he.  "  do 
"  we  complain  of  the  incfticacy  of  religion.  Ail 
"  politive  religion  is  founded   on  injullice.     No 

*'  Prince 


€HA?.  111.         THE  GERMAN  UNION.  249 

"  Prince  has  a  right  to  prefcribe  or  fancllon  any 
"  fuch  fyftem.  Nor  would  he  do  it,  were  not 
**  the  prieits  the  firmeit  pillars  of  his  tyranny, 
*^  and  iuperitition  the  itrongcft  fetters. for  hisfab- 
"  jedls.  He  dares  not  fnow  Pccligion  as  fhe  is — 
*'  pure  and  undeiiled — She  would  charm  the  eyes. 
^*  and  the  hearts  of  mankind,  would  immediately 
*'  produce  true  morality,  v/ould  open  the  eyes 
*'  of  freeborn  man,  would  teach  him  what  are 
^*  his  rights,  and  who  are  his  oppreflors,  and 
"  Princes  would  vaniili  from  the  face  of  the 
**  earth," 

Therefore,  without  troubling  ourfelves  Nvith 
the  truth  or  fallehood  of  his  religion  of  Nature, 
and  affuming  it  as  an  indifputable  point,  that  Dr. 
Bahrdt  has  feen  it  in  this  natural  and  fo  ene£live 
purity,  it  is  farely  a  very  pertinent  queftlon, 
*'  Whether  has  the  fight  produced  on  his  mind. 
"  an  efte£t  Co  far  lupcrior  to  the  acknowledged 
"  faintnels  of  the  imprelTion  of  ChriiLianity  on 
*'  the  bulk  of  mankind,  that  it  will  be  prudent  to 
"  adopt  the  plan  of  the  German  Union,  and  at 
"  once  put  an  end  to  the  divifions  which  io  un- 
"  fortunately  alienate  the  minds  of  profeffing 
"  Chriftians  from  each  other  ?"  The  account 
here  given  of  Dr.  Bahrdt's  life  feems  to  decide 
the  quefliion 

But  it  will  be  faid,  that  1  have  only  related  (o 
many  inilances  of  the  quarrels  of  Prieits  and  their 
flavifh  adherents,  with  Dr.  Bahrdt.  Let  us  view 
him  in  his  ordinary  conduct,  not  as  the  chanipicn 
and  martyr  of  Illumination,  but  as  an  ordinary 
citizen,  a  hufband,  a  father,  a  friend,  a  teacher 
of  youth,   a  clergyman. 

When  Dr.  Bahrdt  was  a  parifli-miriifler,  and  pie- 
{ident  of  fome  inferior  ecciefiallical  dilhict,  he  was 
empovveied  to  take  off  the  cenfuves  of  the  church 

from 


250  THE    GERMAN    UNION.  GHAP.    Hi, 

from  a  voim?;  woman  who  had  born  a  bafiard  child. 
By  violence  he  again  reduced  her  to  the  fame  con- 
dition, and  efcaped  ceninre,  by  the  poor  girl's  dying 
tof  a  fever,  before  her  pregnancy  was  far  advanced, 
or  even  legally  documented.  Alfo,  on  the  night  of 
the  folemn  farce  of  confecrating  his  Phiianthropine, 
he  debauched  the  maid-fervant,  who  bore  twins,  and 
gave  him  up  for  the  father.  The  thing,  I  prelume, 
was  not  judicially  proved,  otherwife  he  would  have 
furely  been  difgraced ;  but  it  was  afterwards  made 
evident,  bv  the  letters  which  were  found  by  Pott, 
when  he  undertook  to  write  his  life.  A  feries  of 
thefe  letters  had  palled  between  him  and  one  Graf,  a 
{leward,  who  was  employed  by  him  to  give  the  woman 
the  Imall  pittance  by  which  Oie  and  the  infants  were 
maintained.  Remonlfrances  were  made,  when  the 
money  v;as  not  advanced  ;  and  there  are  particular- 
ly letters  about  the  end  of  I779,  which  fhow  that 
Bahrdt  had  ceafed  giving  any  thing.  On  the 
of  February  I780,  the  infants  (three  years  old)  were 
taken  away  in  the  night,  and  were  found  expofed, 
the  one  at  Ufiiein,  and  the  other  at  Worms,  many 
miles  dilbnt  from  each  other,  and  almofl:  frozen  to 
death.  The  tirll  was  difcovered  by  its  moans,  by  a 
fhoemaker  in  a  field  by  the  road-Iide,  about  fix  in 
the  morning  ;  the  other  was  found  by  two  girls  be- 
tween the  hedges  in  a  lane,  iet  beVween  two  great 
ftones,  pall  all  crying.  The  poor  mother  travelled 
up  and  down  the  country  in  quell:  of  her  infants, 
and  hearing  thefe  accounts,  found  them  both,  and 
took  one  of  them  home  ;  but  not  being  able  to  main- 
tain both,  when  Bahrdt's  commifii-^ner  lefuled  con- 
tributing any  more,  it  reujained  with  the  good  wo- 
man v/iio  had  taken  it  in*. 

'*  This  IS  \Torfe  thnn  F-oufTeau's  concliid,  who  only  fcnt  his 
children  to  tlie  Foii!unin_:r  hofpit;  I,  that  he  might  never  know 
them  again.      (See  hii  Confefiions,) 

Bahrdt 


feMAP.    111.  THE   GERMAN  UNION*  «2^t- 

Bahrdtwas  married  in  I772,  while  atGieffeti;  but 
after  walling  I  he  greateli  part  of  his  wife's  little  for- 
tune left  her  by  a  former  liiifband,  he  was  provoked 
by  loling  loooliorins  (about  lio/.)  in  the  hands  of 
her  brother  who  would  not  pay  it  up.  After  this 
he  ufed  her  very  ill,  and  fpeaks  very  contemptuoully 
of  her  in  his  own  account  of  his  life,  calling  her  a 
dowdy,  jealous,  and  every  thing  contemptible.  In 
two  inf^imous  novels,  he  exhibits  characters,  in 
which  {lie  is  reprefented  in  a  moil  cruel  manner; 
yet  this  woman  (perhaps  during  the  honey-moon) 
was  enticed  by  hmi  one  day  into  the  bath,  in  the 
pond  of  the  garden  of  the  Philanthropine  at  Heidc- 
Iheim,  and  there,  in  the  fight  ci  all  the  pupils  did  hs 
(alfo  undreired)  toy  vvith  his  naked  wife  in  the  water. 
When  at  Halle,  he  ufed  the  poor  woman  extremely 
ill,  keeping  a  mifirefs  in  the  houfe,  and  giving  her 
the  whole  command  of  the  family,  while  the  wife  and 
daughter  were  confined  to  a  feparate  part  of  it. 
When  in  prifon  at  Magdeburgh,  the  flrumpet  lived 
with  him,  and  bore  him  tu'o  children.  He  brought 
them  all  to  his  ho\ife  when  he  was  at  liberty,  buch 
barbarous  ufage  made  the  poor  woman  at  laft  leave 
him  and  live  with  her  brother.  The  daughter  died 
about  a  year  before  him,  of  an  overdofe  of  laudanum 
given  by  her  father,  to  procure  fleep,  when  ill  of  a 
fever.  He  ended  his  own  wretched  life  in  the  fame 
manner,  unable,  poor  man,  to  bear  his  didreis,  with- 
out the  fmalleil:  compundion  or  foriow  for  his  con- 
duel;  and  the  lall  thing  he  did  was  to  fend  for  a 
bookfeller,  (Vipink  of  Kalle,  v.dio  had  publifhed 
lome  of  his  vile  pieces,)  and  recommend  his  llrum- 
pet  and  her  children  to  his  protedion,  without  one 
thought  of  his  injured  wife. 

1  ihall  end  ray  account  of  this  profligate  monfler 
with  a  Ipecimen  of  his  wav  of  ufing  his  friends. 

"  Of 


•  *  * 


i^'i  THE    GERMAN    UNIOW.  CHAP.    111. 

"  OF  all  the  acquifitions  which  I  made  in  Eng- 
land, Mr. — — (the  name  appears  at  full  length) 
was  the  mofl:  important.  This  perfon  was  ac- 
compiiihed  in  the  higheft  degree.  With  (bund 
judgment,  great  genius,  and  correift  tafle,  he  was 
perteclly  a  man  of  the  world.  He  was  my  friend, 
and  the  only  perfon  who  warmly  interefted  him- 
felf  for  my  inltitution.  To  his  warm  and  repeat- 
ed recommendations  I  owe  all  the  pupils  I  got  in 
England,  and  manv  moll  refpe6,able  conneclions; 
for  he  was  univerfaliv  efteemed  as  a  man  of  learn- 
ing and  of  the  moil  unblemifhed  worth,  lie 
wa«  ray  triend,  mv  condu6lor,  and  I  may  fay  my 
prelerver  ;  for  when  I  had  not  bread  for  two  davs, 
he  took  rae  to  his  houfe,  and  fupplied  all  my 
wants.  This  gentlemari  was  a  clergyman,  and  had 
a  fmail  but  genteel  and  feleded  congregation,  a 
flock  which  required  ftrong  food.  My  friend 
preached  to  them  pure  natural  religion,  and  was 
beloved  by  them.  His  fermcns  were  excellent, 
and  delivered  with  native  energy  and  grace,  be- 
caufe  they  came  from  the  heart.  I  had  once  the 
honour  of  preaching  for  him.  But  what  a  dif- 
ference— I  found  myfelf  afraid— I  feared  to  fpeak 
too  boldly,  becaufe  I  did  not  know  where  I  was, 
and  thought  myfelf  fpeaking  lo  my  crouching 
countrymen.  But  the  liberty  of  England  opens 
every  heart,  and  makes  it  accefifible  to  morality, 
lean  give  a  very  remarkable  inflance. 
"  The  women  of  the  town  in  London  do  not,  to 
befure,  meet  with  my  unqualified  approbation  in 
all  refpeds.  But  it' is  impoflible  not  to  be  ftruck 
with  the  propriety  and  decency  of  their  manners, 
fo  unlike  the  clownifh  impudence  of  our  German 
wh — .  I  could  not  diflinguifh  them  from  modefl: 
women,  otherwife  than  by  their  greater  attention 
and  eagernefs   to   fhew  me  civility.     My  friend 

''  ufed 


GKAP.   iii.  THE    GERMAN    UNION.  2^3 

ufed  to  laugh  at  my  miftakes,  and  I  could  not  be- 
lieve him  when  he  told  me  that  the  lady  who  had 
kindly  (hewed  the  way  to  me,  a  foreigner,   was  a 
votary  of  Venus.      He  maintained  that  Englifti  li- 
berty naturally  produced  morality  and  kindnefs. 
I  ftill  doubted,  and   he  faid  that  he  would  con- 
vince  me  by  my  own  experience.      Thefe  giris 
are  to  be  feen  in  crowds  every  evening  in  every 
quarterj,of   the   town.     Although   fome  of  them 
may  not  have  even  a  fhift,  they  come  out   in  the 
evening  drelTed  like  princeffes,   in  hired  clothes, 
which  are  entrulled   to  them  without  any  fear  of 
their  making  off  with  them.      Their  fine  iliape, 
their  beautiful    flcin,  and  dark  brown  hair,  their 
bofoms,  fo  prettily  fet  off  by  their  black  filk  drefs, 
and  above  all,  the  gentle  fweetnefs  of  their  man- 
ners,  makes  an  impreffion  in  the  higheit  degree 
favourable  to  them.    They  civilly  offer  their  arn> 
and  fay,   "  My  dear,  will  you  give  me  a  glafs  of 
wine."   If  you  give  them  no  encouragement,  they 
pafs  on,  and  give  no  farther  trouble.     I  went  with 
my  friend  to  Covent  Garden,  and  after  admiring 
the  innumerable  beauties  we  faw   in  the  piazzas, 
we  gave  our  arm  to  three  very  agreeable  girls,  and 
immediately  turned  into  a  temple  of  the  Cythere- 
an  Goddefs,  which  is  to  be  found  at  every  fecond 
door  in  the  city,  and  vv^ere  fhewn  into  a  parlour 
elegantly  carpeted  and  furnifhed,  and  lighted  with 
wax,  with  every  other  accommodation  at  hand. — 
My  friend  called  for  a  pint  of  wine,  and  this  was 
all  the  expence   for  which  we  received  fo  much 
civility.     The  converlation  and  other  behaviour 
of  the  ladles  was  agreeable  in  the  highefl;  degree, 
and  not  a  wor^/ palled  that  would  have  diftinguifh- 
ed  them  from  nuns,  or  that  was  not  in  the  highefl: 
degree  mannerly  and  elegant.     We  parted  in  the 
iheet — and  fuch  is  the  liberty  of  England,  that 

2  1  "  my 


254  THE  GERMAN  UNION.        CHAP.  Jll, 

"  my  friend  rnn  not  the  fmallefl:  rifk  of  fuffering  ei- 
*'  ther  in  his  honour  or  ulefulntis. — Such  is  the  et- 
"  i'tCi  of  freedom." 

We  may  be  fare,  the  poor  man  was  afloniftied 
when  he  law  his  name  before  the  public  as  one  of  the 
enlighteners  of  Chriflian  Europe.  He  is  really  a 
man  of  worth,  and  of  the  moll  irreproachable  cha- 
rader,  and  knew  that  whatever  might  be  the  protec- 
tion of  Briiiih  liberty,  fuch  condud  would  ruin  him 
with  his  own  hearers,  and  in  the  minds  of  all  his  re- 
fpedable  countrymen.  He  therefore  lent  a  vindica- 
tion of  his  charader  from  this  flanderous  abufe  to  the 
publiihers  of  the  principal  newfpapevs  and  literary 
journals  in  Germany,  'llie  vindication  is  complete, 
and'  B.  is  convided  of  having  related  what  he  could 
not  pqffibly  have  Jeen.  It  is  worthy  of  remark,  that 
the  vindication  did  not  appear  in  the  Berlin  Monat- 
jcbrift^  nor  in  any  of  the  journals  which  made  favor- 
able mention  of  the  performances  of  the  Enlight- 
eners. 

"  Think  not,  indignant  reader,"  fays  Arbuthnot, 
"  that  this  man's  life  is  ufelefs  to  mortals."  It  fliews 
in  a  ftrong  light  the  falfity  of  all  his  declamations  in 
favour  of  his  fo  much  praifed  natural  religion  and 
univerfal  kindnefs  and  humanity.  No  man  of  the 
party  writes  with  more  perfuafive  energy,  and, 
though  his  perulance  and  precipitant  felf-conceit 
lead  him  frequently  aflray,  no  man  has  occafionally 
put  all  the  arguments  of  thele  philofophers  in  a 
clearer  light  ;  yet  we  fee  that  all  is  faife  and  hollow. 
He  is  a  vile  hypocrite,  and  the  real  aim  of  all  his 
writings  is  to  make  money,  by  foilering  the  fenfual 
propenfities  of  human  nature,  although  he  i^ts  and 
feels  that  the  completion  of  the  plan  of  the  German 
Union  Vv'ould  be  an  event  more  dclhudive  and  la- 
mentable than  any  that  can  be  pointed  out  in  the  an- 
nals of  fuperilition.     I  will  not  favthat  all  partilans 

o€ 


CHAP.  111.  THE    GERMAN    UNION.  255 

ef  Illumination  are  hogs  of  the  fty  of  Epicurus  like 
this  wretch.     But  the  reader  mufl  acknowledge  that, 
in  the  inftitution   of  Weifliaupt,   there  is  the  fame 
train  of  fenfual  indulgence  laid  along  the  whole,  and 
that  purity  of  heart  and  life  is  no  part  of  the  morali- 
ty that  is  held  forth  as  the  perfedion  of  human   na- 
ture     The  final  abolition  of  Chriflianity  is  undoubt- 
edly one  of  its  objeds — whether  as  an  end  of  their 
efforts,  or  as  a  mean  for  the  attainment  of  fome  end 
flili  more  important.    Purity  of  heart  is  perhaps  the 
moll  diftindive  feature  of  Chrillian  morality.      Of 
this  Dr.  Bahrdt  feems  to  have  had  no  conception; 
and  his  inllitution,  as  well  as  his  writings,  (hew  him 
to  have  been  a  very  coarfe  fenfualifl.     But  his  tafte, 
though  coarfe,  accorded  with  what  Weifhaupt  confi- 
dered  as  a  ruling  propenfity,  by  which  he  had  the  beft 
chance  of  fecuring  the  fidelity  of  his  fubjecls. — Cra- 
ving defires,  beyond  the  bonds  of  our  means,  were 
the  natural  confequences  of  indulgence  ;  and  fince 
the  puriry  of  Chriftian  morality  ftood  in  his  way,  his 
firft  care  was  to  clear  the  road  by  rooting  it  out  alto- 
gether— What   can  follow  but  general  diffolutenefs 
ol  manners  ? 

Nothing  can  more  diftinftly  prove  the  crooked 
politics  of  the  Reformers  than  this.  It  may  be 
confidered  as  the  main-fpring  of  their  w^hole  ma* 
chine.  Their  pupils  v^ere  to  be  led  by  means  of 
their  fenfual  appetites,  and  the  aim  of  their  con- 
ductors was  not  to  inform  them,  but  merely  to 
lead  them  ;  not  to  reform,  but  to  rule  the  world. 
— They  would  reign,  though  in  hcil,  rather  than 
fcrve  in  heaven. — Dr.  Bahrdt  was  a  true  Apofile 
of  lUuminatifm  ;  and  though  his  torch  was  made 
of  the  groiTelt  materials,  and  "  fervcd  only  to  dif- 
"  cover  fights  of  woe,"  the  horrid  glare  darted 
into  every  corner,  roufmg  hundreds  of  filthy  ver- 
min, and  diredling  their  flight  to  the  rotten  car- 
rion 


55^  "^HE    GERMAN    UNION,  €HA?.  iii, 

rion  where  they  tould  befl:  depofit  their  poifon 
and  their  ejrj^s  ;  in  the  breafts,  to  wit,  of  the  iep- 
Tual  and  profligate,  there  to  feftcr  and  buril  ferth 
in  a  new  and  filthy  progeny  ;  and  it  is  aftonifliing 
what  numbers  were  thus  roufcd  into  adtion.  The 
fcheme  of  Reading  Societies  had  taken  prodi^i- 
oufly,  and  became  a  very  profitable  part  of  the 
literary  trade  of  Germany.  The  booklellers  and 
writers  foon  perceived  its  importance,  and  z£U^d 
in  concert. 

I  might  fill  a  volume  with  extrafts  from  the 
criticifms  which  were  publilhcd  on  the  Religion 
Edict  lb  often  mentioned  already.  The  Leipzig 
catalogue  for  one  year  contained  173.  Although 
it  concerned  the  Pruffian  States  alone,  thefe  ap- 
peared in  every  corner  of  Germany  •  nay,  alfo  in 
Holland,  in  Flanders,  in  Hungary,  in  Switzerland, 
in  Courland,  and  in  Livonia.  ^  his  {hows  it  to 
have  been  the  operation  of  an  Affociated  Band, 
as  was  intimated  to  the  King,  with  fo  much  pe-^ 
tulance  by  Mirabeau.  There  was  (pall  all  doubt) 
fuch  a  combination  among  the  innumerable  fcrib- 
blers  who  fupplied  the  fairs  of  Leipzig  and  Frank- 
fort, Mirabeau  calls  it  a  Conjuration  des  Philojo- 
phes,  an  expreffion  very  clear  to  himfelf,  for  the 
myriads  of  gareteeis  who  have  long  fed  the  crav- 
ing mouth  of  Paris  (**  always  thiriling  after  Ibmc 
**  new  thing''J  called  themfelves  philofophers, 
and,  like  the  gangs  of  St.  Giks's,  converted  with 
each  other  in  a  cant  of  their  own,  full  of  morale^ 
of  entrgie^  of  bienvillance^  &c.  Sec,  c&c.  unintel- 
ligible or  mifunderftood  by  other  men,  and  ufed 
for  the  purpofe  of  deceit.  While  Mirabeau  lived 
too,  they  formed  a  Ctnjuraiio.i.  The  14th  of  July 
1790,  the  mofl  folemn  invocation  of  the  Divine 
pretence  ever  made  on  the  face  of  this  earth,  put 
a.i  end  to  the  propriety  of  this  appellation ;  for  it 

became 


CHAP.  111.  THE    GERMAN    UNION.  *l^y 

became  neccflary  (in  the  progrefs  of  political  Il- 
lumination) to  declare  that  oaths  were  nonfenfe, 
because  the  invoked  was  a  creature  of  the  imagi- 
nation, and  the  grand  federation,  like  Wiefhaupt 
and  Bahrdt's  Mafonic  Chriftianity,  is  declared,  to 
thofe  initiated  into  the  higher  mylleries,  to  be  a 
Jie.  But  if  we  have  no  longer  a  Conjuration  dci 
Philofophes^  we  have  a  gang  of  fcribblers  that  has 
got  poffeilion  of  the  public  mind  by  their  ma- 
nagement of  the  literary  Journals  of  Germany, 
and  have  made  licentious  Icntiments  in  politics, 
in  morals,  and  in  religion,  as  familiar  as  were  for- 
merly the  articles  of  ordinary  news.  All  the  fcep- 
tical  writings  of  England  put  together  will  not 
make  half  the  number  that  have  appeared  in  Pro- 
teftant  Germany  during  the  laft  twelve  or  fifteen 
years.  And,  in  the  Criticifms  on  the  Edid:,  it  is 
hard  to  fay  whether  infidelity  or  difloyalty  fills 
the  mofl:  pages. 

To  fuch  a  degree  had  the  Illuminati  carried 
this  favourite  and  important  point  that  they  ob" 
tained  the  direction  even  of  thofe  whofe  office  it 
was  to  prevent  it.  There  is  at  Vienna,  as  at  Ber- 
lin, an  office  for  examining  and  licenfing  v/iitings 
before  they  can  have  their  courfe  in  the  market. 
This  office  pubiiflies  annually  an  index  of  forbid- 
'den  books.  In  this  index  are  included  the  accouut 
of  the  laft  Operations  of  Spartacus  and  Philo  in 
the  Order  of  Illuminati^  and  a  difTertation  on  T^'he 
Final  Overthrow  of  Free  Majonry,  a  mod  excel- 
lent performance,  fhowing  the  gradual  corruption 
and  final  perverfion  of  that  iociety  to  a  Icniinary 
of  fedition.  Alfo  the  Vienna  Magazine  of  Litera- 
ture and  Arts^  which  contains  many  accounts  of 
the  interferences  of  the  Illuminati  in  the  dilUirb- 
ances  of  Europe.  The  Cenfor  who  occa honed 
this  prohibition  was  an  Illuminatus  named  Retzer. 

He 


258  THE  GERMAN  UNION.  ,'CHAP.   iiL 

He  makes  a  mod  pitiful  and  jefuitical  defence, 
fliowing  bimfelf  completely  vcrfant  in  all  the  chi' 
cane  of  the  Illuminati^  and  devoted  to  their  In- 
fidel   principles.      (Sec  ReL    Begebcnh,    1795,  p. 

493-) 

There  are   two  performances  which   give    us 

much  information  refpefting  the  ftate  of  moral 
and  political  opinions  in  Germany  about  this  time. 
One  of  them  is  called,  Proofs  of  a  hidden  Cofubina- 
tion  to  deflroy  the  Frecdoin  of  Thought  and  IVrit- 
ing  in  Gtrmany,  Thefe  proofs  are  general,  taken 
from  many  concurring  circumftances  in  the  con- 
dition of  German  literature.  They  are  convinc- 
ing to  a  thinking  mind,  but  are  too  abflracled  to 
be  very  imprellive  on  ordinary  readers.  The 
other  is  the  Appeal  to  my  Country,  which  I  men- 
tioned in  page  84.  This  is  much  more  ftriking, 
and  in  each  branch  of  literature,  gives  a  progref- 
five  account  of  the  changes  of  fentiment,  all  Ibp- 
ported  by  the  evidence  of  t"lie  books  themfelves. 
The  author  puts  it  pail  contradiction,  that  in 
every  fpecies  of  literary  compofition  into  which  it 
was  poilible,  without  palpable  abfurdity,  to  intro- 
duce licentious  and  feditious  principles,  it  was 
done.  Many  romances,  novels,  journeys  through 
Germany  and  other  countries*,  are  written  on 
purpofe  to  attach  praife  or  reproach  to  certain 
lentiments,  characters,  and  pieces  of  conduit.  The 
Prince,  the  nobleman,  is  made  defpotic,  oppref- 
five,  unfeeling  or  ridiculous — the  poor,  and  the 
man  of  talents,  are  unfortunate  and  neglected — 
and  here  'and  there  a  fictitious  Graif  or  Baron   is 

*  A  plan  adopted  within  thefe  few  years  in  our  own  countiT, 
which,  if  profecuted  with  the  fame  induftry  with  which  it  has 
been  begun,  will  foon  render  our  circulating  Libraries  fo  many 
Nurferies  of  Sedition  and  Impiety.  (See  Travels  into  Germany 
by  Efte.) 

made 


CHAP.  ill.  THE    GERMAN    UNION.  259 

made  a  divinity,  by  philanthropy  exprefled  in  ro- 
mantic charity  and  kindnefs,  or  ollentatious  indif- 
ference for  the  little  honours  which  are  fo  preci- 
ous in  the  eyes  of  a  German. — In  fliort,  the  fyf^ 
tern  of  Weifiiaupt  and  Knigge  is  carried  into  vi- 
gorous efte6t  over  all.  In  both  thcfe  performances, 
and  indeed  in  a  vail  number  of  otlier  pieces,  I  fee 
that  the  influence  of  Nicholai  is  much  comment- 
ed on,  and  confidercd  as  having  had  the  chief 
hand  in  all  thofe  innovations. 

Thus  I  think  it  clearly  appears,  that  the  fup- 
preffion  of  the  llhiminati  in  Bavaria  and  of  the 
Union  in  Brandenburgh,  were  infufFicient  for  re- 
moving the  evils  which  they  had  introduced.  The 
Ele<itor  of  Bavaria  was  obliged  to  ilTue  another 
proclamation  in  November  1790,  warning  his 
fubjefts  of  their  repeated  machinations,  and  par- 
ticularly enjoining  the  magiftrates  to  obferve 
carefully  the  allemblies  in  the  Reading  Societies, 
which  were  multiplying  in  his  States.  A  fimilar 
proclamation  was  made  and  repeated  by  the  Re- 
gency of  Hanover,  and  it  was  on  this  occafion 
that  Mauvillon  impudently  avowed  the  moft  anar- 
chical opinions. — But  Weifliaupt  and  his  agents 
were  flili  bufy  and  fuccefsful.  The  habit  of  plot- 
ting had  formed  itfclf  into  a  regular  fyflem.  So- 
cieties now  acted  every  where  in  fecret,  in  cor- 
refpondence  with  fimiiar  focieties  in  other  places. 
And  thus  a  mode  of  co-operation  was  furnilhed  to 
the  difcontented,  the  reftlefs,  and  the  unprincipled 
in  all  places,  without  even  the  trouble  of  formal 
initiations,  and  without  any  external  appearances 
by  which  the  exiilence  and  occupations  of  the 
members  could  be  diftinguiflied.  The  hydra's 
teeth  were  already  fown,  and  each  grew  up,  in- 
dependent of  the  refr,  and  foon  fent  out  its  own 
offsets, — In  all  places  where  fuch  fecret  pra£lices 

were 


zCo  THE    GERMAN    UNION.  CHAPilL 

were  going  on,  there  did  not  fail  to  appear  fomc 
individuals  ©f  more  than  common  zeal  and  acti- 
vity, who  took  the  lead,  each  in  his  own  circle. 
This  gave  a  confirtcncy  and  unity  to  the  opera- 
tions of"  the  reft,  and  they,  encouraged  by  this  co- 
operation, could  now  attempt  thiiigs  which  they 
would  not  otherwife  have  ventured  on.  It  is  not 
till  this  ftate  of  things  obtains,  that  this  influence 
becomes  fcnfible  to  the  public.  Philo,  in  his  pub- 
lic declaration,  unwarily  lets  this  appear.  Speak- 
ing of  the  numerous  little  focieties  in  which  their 
principles  were  cultivated,  he  fays,  "  we  thus  be- 
*'  gin  to  be  formidable.'*  It  may  now  alarm^--but 
it  is  now  too  late.  The  fame  germ  is  now  fprout~ 
ing  in  another  place. 

I  mufl:  not  forget  to  take  notice  that  about  this 
time  (1787  or  1788,)  there  appeared  an  invitation 
from  a  Baron  or  Prince  S — — ,  Governor  of  the 
Dutch  fortrefs  H ,*  before  the  troubles  in  Hol- 
land, to  form  a  fociety/br  ibe  Protc^ion  of  Princes. 
— -The  plan  is  expreifed  in  very  enigmatical  terms, 
but  -fuch  asplainly  fiievv  it  to  be  merely  an  odd  title, 
to  catch  the  public  eye  ;  for  the  x\(fociation  is  of  the 
fame  feditious  kind  with  all  thofe  already  fpoken  of, 
viz.  proFefling  to  enlighten  the  minds  of  men,  and 
making  them  imagine  that  all  their  hai  dftiips  proceed 
from  fuperftition,  which  fubjeds  them  to  ufelefsand 
crafty  priefts  ;  and  from  their  own  indolence  and 
want  of  patriot  ifm,  which  make  them  fubmit  to  the 
mal-adminirtration  of  miniflers.  The  Sovereign  is 
fuppofed  to  be  innocent,  but  to  be  a  cypher,  and 
every  magiflrate,  who  is  not  chofen  by  the  people 
avflually  under  him,  is  held  to  be  a  defpot,  and  is  to  be 
bound  hand  and  foot. — Many  circumflances  concur 
to  prove  that  the  projedor  of  this  infidious  plan  is 
the  Prince  Salms,  who  fo  afliduoufly  fomented  all 
the  diffurbances  in  the  Dutch  and  Auflrian  Nether- 
lands. 


fcHAP.  iii;  THl    GERMAN    I/NIOIN,  ^61 

lands.  He  h^id,  before  this  time,  taken  into  his 
lervice  Zwack,  the  Cato  o^  the  IHuminati.  The 
piojed  had  gone  fome  leugth  when  it  was  diicovered 
and  fuppreficd  by  the  States. 

Zimmerman,  who  had  been  Prefidentof  the  IHu- 
minati in  Manheim,  was  alfo  a  moft  aclive  perfoii 
in  propagating  their  do6^rines  in  other  countries. 
He  was  employed  as  a  miflionary,  and  ere<^ed  Ibme 
Lodges  even  in  Rome — alfo  at  Neufchate^ — and  in 
Hungary.  He  was  frequently  feen  in  the  latter 
place  by  a  gentleman  of  my  acquainta^'^e,  and 
preached  up  all  the  ofleniihle  doctrines  of  IHumina- 
tifm  in  the  moft  public  manner,  and  made  many 
profclytes.  But  when  it  was  difcovered  that  tht  r 
real  and  fundamental  doctrines  were  different  from 
ihofe  which  he  profeffed  in  order  to  draw  in  profe- 
lytes,  Zimmerman  left  the  country  in  haftco— Some 
time  after  this  he  was  arretted  in  Pruftia  for  feditious 
harangues — but  he  efcaped,  and  has  not  been  heard 
of  fince.— When  he  was  in  Hungary  he  boafted  of 
having  ereded  above  an  hundred  Lodges  in  dif- 
ferent parts  of  Europe,  fome  of  Vv/hich  were  in 
England, 


That  the  Illuminati  and  other  hidden  Cofmo-po- 
litical  focieties  had  fome  influence  in  bringing  about 
■he  French  Revolution,  or  at  leail  in  accelerating  it, 
can  hardly  be  doubted.  In  reading  the  fecret  cor- 
lefpondence,  I  was  always  furp'rifed  at  not  finding 
any  reports  from  France,  and  fomething  like  a  hefi- 
tation  about  eftablilhing  a  miffion  there  ;  nor  am  I 
vet  able  thorcuehly  to  account  for  it.  But  there  i5 
abundant  evidence  that  they  interfered,  both  in  pre-' 
paring  for  it  in  the  fame  manner  as  in  Germany,  and 
in    accelerating    its   progrefs.     Socne  letters   in  the 

2  K  Brunfwick" 


£62  THE    GERMAN    UNION.  CHAP,   ilh 

Brunfvvick  Journal  from  one  Campe^  who  was  an  in- 
fpedor  of  the  feminaries  of  education,  a  man  pf 
talents,  and  an  Illuminatus^  put  it  beyond  doubt. 
He  was  refuling  in  Paris  during  its  firl\  movements, 
and  gives  a  minute  account  of  them,  lamenting 
their  excefl'es,  on  account  of  their  imprudence,  and 
the  rifk  of  fhocking  the  nation,  and  thus  deflroying 
the  projecf^,  but  juftifying  the  motives,  on  the  true 
principles  of  Cofmo-politifm.  I'he  Vienna  Zeit- 
Ichrift  and  the  Magazine  of  Literature  and  Fine 
Arts  for  1790,  and  other  pamphlets  of  that  date,  fay 
the  fame  thing  in  a  clearer  manner.  I  fliall  lay  to- 
gether fome  palfages  from  fuch  as  I  have  met  with, 
which  I  think  will  (hew  beyond  all  poflibility  of 
doubt  that  the  lUuminati  took  an  adive  part  in  the 
whole  tranfacftion,  and  may  be  faid  to  have  been  its 
chief  contrivers.  I  (hall  premife  a  few  obferva- 
tions,  which  will  give  a  clearer  view  of  the  matter* 


[      263      ] 

CHAP.     IV. 

The  French  Revolution. 


D 


URING  thefe  difTenlions  and  difcontents, 
and  this  general  fermentation  of  the  public  mind  in 
Germany,  political  occurrences  in  France  gave  ex- 
ercife  and  full  fcope  for  the  operation  of  that  fpirit 
of  revolt  which  had  long  growled  in  fecret  in  the 
different  corners  of  that  great  empire.  The  Cof- 
mo-political  and  fceptical  opinions  and  fentiments 
xo  much  cultivated  in  all  the  Lodges  of  the  Phila- 
lethes  had  by  this  time  been  openly  profefi'sd  by  ma- 
ny of  the  fages  of  France,  and  artfully  interwoven 
with  their  fiatiftical  economics.  The  many  contefts 
between  the  King  and  the  Parliament  of  Paris  about 
the  regiffration  of  his  edids,  had  given  occafion  to 
much  difcuflion,  and  had  made  the  public  famiUar- 
iy  acquainted  with  topics  altogether  unfuitable  to 
j:he  abfolute  monarchy  of  France. 

This  acquaintance  with  the  natural  expectations 
of  the  fubjecl,  and  the  expediency  of  a  candid  at- 
tention on  the  part  of  Government  to  thefe  expec- 
tations, and  a  view  of  Legiflation  and  Government 
founded  on  a  very  liberal  interpretation  of  all  thefe 
things,  was  prodlgioufly  promoted  by  the  rafli  inter- 
ference of  France  in  the  difpute  between  Great 
Britain  and  her  colonies.  In  this  attempt  to  ruin 
Britain,  even  the  court  of  France  v/as  obliged  to 
preach  the  dodrines  of  Liberty,  and  to  take  its  chance 
that  Frenchman  would  confent  to  be  the  only  flaves. 
But  their  officers  and  foldiers,  who  returned  from 
America,  imported  the  American  principles,  and  in 
every  company  found  hearers  who  liflened  with  de- 
light and  regret  to  their  fafcinating  tale  of  American 

independence. 


5^4  THE   FRENCH  REVOLUTION.  CHAP.  IV. 

independence.  Daring  the  war,  the  MiniHer,  who 
had  too  confidently  pledged  hirafelf  for  the  deflruc- 
tion  of  Britain,  was  obliged  to  allow  the  Parifians  to 
amufe  themfelves  with  theatrical  entertainments, 
where  Englilh  law  was  reprefented  as  oppre(Iion,and 
every  fretful  extravagance  of  the  Americans  was 
applauded  as  a  noble  ftruggle  for  native  freedom. — ■ 
All  wilhed  for  a  tafte  of  that  liberty  and  equality 
<vhich  they  were  allowed  to  applaud  on  tlie  i^age  ; 
but  as  foon  as  they  came  from  the  theatre  into  the 
flreet,  they  found  themfelves  under  all  their  former 
reflraints.  The  fweet  charm  had  found  its  way  in- 
to their  hearts,  and  all  the  luxuries  of  France  be- 
came as  dull  as  common  life  does  to  a  fond  girl  when 
fhe  lays  down  her  novel. 

In  this  irritable  flate  of  mind  a  fpark  was  fuffi- 
cient  for  kindling  a  flame.  To  import  this  dange- 
rous delicacy  of  American  grov-vth,  France  had  ex- 
pended many  millions,  and  was  drowned  in  debts. 
The  mad  prodigality ~^ of  the  Royal  Family  and  the 
Court  had  drained  the  treafury,  and  foreflalkd  every 
livre  of  the  revenue.  The  edids  for  new  taxes  and 
forced  loans  Vv'ere  mofl  unwelcome  and  oppreflive. 

The  Avocats  au.parlement  had  nothing  to  do  with 
flate-affairs,  being  very  little  more  than  barriflers  in 
the  higheft  court  of  juflice  ;  and  the  highefl  claim 
of  th^  Prefidents  of  this  court  was  to  be  a  fort  of 
humble  counfellors  to  the  King  in  common  matters. 
It  was  a  very  flrange  inconhftency  in  that  ingenious 
nation  to  permit  fuch  people  to  touch  on  thofe  flate- 
fubjedts  ;  for,  in  facl,  the  King  of  Fiance  was  an 
abfolute  Monarch,  and  the  iubjecls  were  flaves.  This 
is  the  refult  of  2\\  their  paintul  relearch,  notwith- 
landing  that  glimmerings  of  natural  juflice  and 
of  freedom  are  to  be  met  with  in  their  records. 
There  could  not  be  found  in  their  hiflory  fo 
much   as   a   tolerable    account  of    the   manner  of 

calling 


«HAP.   iv.  THE   FRENCH  REVOLUTION,  SCj 

calling  the  nation  together,  to  learn  from  the  people 
how  their  chains  would  befi  pleafe  their  fancy.  But 
all  this  was  againil  nature,  and  it  was  neceflary  that 
it  fliould  come  to  an  end,  the  firfi:  time  that  the  mo- 
narch confeffed  that  he  could  not  do  every  thing 
unlefs  they  put  the  tools  into  his  hands.  As  things 
were  approaching  gradually  but  rapidly  to  this  con- 
tlition,  the  impertinent  interference  (for  fo  a  French- 
man, fubjei^  of  the  Grand  Monarch,  muji  think  it) 
pf  the  advocates  of  the  Parliament  of  Paris  was  popu- 
lar in  the  highefl  degree  ;  and  it  muft  be  confefTed, 
^hat  in  general  it  was  patriotic,  however  inconliftent 
with  the  conilitution.  They  felt  themfelves  plead- 
ing the  caufe  of  humanity  and  natural  jufiice.  This 
would  embolden  honeil  and  worthy  men  to  fpeak 
truth,  however  unwelcome  to  the  court.  In  gene- 
ral, it  raufl  alfo  be  granted  that  they  fpoke  with  cau- 
tion and  with  refped  to  the  fovereign  powers  ;  and 
they  had  frequently  the  pleafure  of  being  the  means 
of  mitigating  the  burdens  of  the  people.  The  Par- 
liament of  Paris,  by  this  condud,  came  to  be  looked 
up  to  as  a  fort  of  mediator  between  the  King  and  his 
fubjeds;  and  as  theavocats  faw  this,  they  naturally 
rcfe  in  their  own  eftimation  far  above  the  rank  in 
which  the  conflitution  of  their  government  had  pla- 
ced them.  For  it  mult  alway?  be  kept  in  mind,  that 
the  robe  was  never  coniidered  as  the  drefs  of  a  No- 
bleman, although  the  calTock  was.  An  advocate  was 
merely  not  a  rotourier  ;  and  though  we  can  hardly 
conceive  a  profelTion  more  truly  honourable  than 
the  difpenfing  of  diflributive  juftice,  nor  any  {kill 
more  congenial  to  a  rational  mind  than  that  of  the 
practical  morality  which  we,  in  theory,  conhder  as 
the  light  by  which  they  are  always  conduded  ;  and 
although  even  the  artificial  conilitution  of  France 
had  long  been  obliged  to  bow  to  the  didates  of  na- 
ture and  humanity,  and   confer  nobility,  and  even 

title. 


f56  THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION.  CHAP.  IV, 

title,  on  fucb  of  the  profefTors  of  the  municipal  law 
as  had,  by  their  (kill  and  their  honourable  characler, 
ril'en  to  the  firil  offices  of  their  profelTion,  yet  the 
NoblelTe  de  la  Robe  never  could  incorporate  with 
the  NoblelTe  du  Sang,  nor  even  with  the  NoblelTe  de 
TEpee.  Tbedefcendants  of  a  Marquis  de  la  Robe 
never  could  rife  to  certain  dignities  in  the  church 
and  at  court.  The  avocats  de  la  parlement  felt  this, 
and  fmarted  under  the  excluiion  from  court- 
honours  ;  and  though  they  eagerly  courted  fuch  no- 
bility as  they  could  attain,  they  feldom  omitted  any 
opportunity  that  occurred  during  their  junior  prac- 
tice, of  expoling  the  arrogance  of  the  Noblefie,  and 
the  dominion  of  the  court.  This  increafed  their 
popularity,  and  in  the  prefent  iituation  of  things, 
being  certain  of  fupport,  they  went  beyond  their 
former  cautious  bounds,  and  introduced  in  their 
pleadings,  and  particularly  in  their  joint  remon- 
l^rances  againft  the  regiftration  of  edids,  all  the  wire- 
drawn morality,  and  cofmo-political  jurifprudence, 
which  they  had  fo  often  rehearfed  in  the  Lodges, 
and  which  had  of  late  been  openly  preached  by  the 
economifts  and  philofophers, 

A  fignal  was  given  to  the  nation  for  engaging  '*ea 
maffe"  in  political  difcuflion.  The  Notables  were 
called  upon  to  come  and  advife  the  King  ;  and  the 
points  were  laid  before  them,  in  which  his  Majelly, 
(infallible  till  now)  acknowledged  his  ignorance  or  his 
doubts.  But  who  were  the  Notables?  Were  they  more 
knowing  than  the  King,  or  lefs  in  need  of  inftrudion? 
The  nation  thought otherwife;  nay,  the  court  thought 
otherwife;  for  in  fome  of  the  royal  proclamations  on 
this  occaiion,  men  of  letters  were  invited  to  aflTili  with 
theircounfels,  and  togive  what  information  their  read- 
ing and  experience  ihou'd  fuggelt  as  to  the  befl:  me- 
thod of  convoking  the  States  General,  and  of  con- 
dueling  their  deliberations.     When  a  Minifter  thus 

folicit^ 


4hAI>*  IV*  THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION.  ^6t 

lolicits  advice  from  all  the  world  how  to  govern,  he 
moft  afl'uredly  declares  his  own  incapacity,  and  lells 
the  people  that  now  they  rauft  govern  thcmfelves. 
This  however  'vas  done,  and  the  Minifter,  Psieckar 
the  Philofopher  and  Philanthropic  of  Geneva,  let 
the  example,  by  fending  in  bis  opinion,  to  be  laid  on 
the  council-table  with  the  reih  On  this  fignal,  coun- 
fel  poured  in  from  every  garret,  and  the  prefs 
groaned  with  advice  in  every  fliape.  Ponderous 
volumes  were  written  for  the  Bifliop  or  the  Duke  ; 
a  handfome  8vo  for  the  Notable  Ofhcer  of  eigh- 
teen ;  pamphlets  and  fmgle  (lieets  for  the  loungers 
in  the  Palais  Royal,  The  fermentation  v/as  ailo- 
niftiing;  but  it  was  no  more  ti:ian  fliould  have  bcea 
expected  from  the  moil  cultivated,  the  moll  inge- 
uious,  and  the  lead  baftiful  nation  on  earth.  All 
wrote,  and  all  read.  Not  contented  with  bringing 
forth  all  the  fruits  which  the  illumination  of  thefe 
bright  days  of  reafon  had  railed  in  fuch  abund- 
ance in  the  conlervatories  of  the  Philalethcs^  and 
which  had  been  gathered  from  the  writings  of 
Voltaire,  Diderot,  Rouifeau,  P*.aynal.  &c.  the  pa- 
triotic counfeliors  of  the  Notables  had  ranfacked 
all  the  writings  of  former  ages.  Tliey  difcovered 
THAT  France  had  always  been  free  !  One 
Would  have  thought,  that  they  had  travelled  with 
Sir  |ohn  Maiideville  in  that  country  where  even 
the  fpeechcs  of  former  times  had  been  frozen,  and 
were  now  thawing  apace  under  the  beams  of  the 
fun  of  Pteaibn.  For  many  of  thefe  effays  were  as 
incongruous  and  mal  a-propos  as  the  broken  fen- 
tences  recorded  by  Mr.  Addiion  in  the  Spectator. 
A  gentleman  who  was  in  Paris  at  this  time,  a  per- 
fon  of  great  judgment,  and  well  informed  in  every 
thing  refpeiting  the  conftitution  and  prefent  con- 
dition of  his  country,  allured  me  that  this  invita- 
tion, followed   by  the  memorial  of  Mr,  Neckar^ 

operated 


563  THE    FRENCH    REVOLUTION.  CHAP.  iv. 

operated  Ijlce  an  eleftrical  fliock.   In  the  courfe  of 
four  or   five  days,    the   appearance  of  Paris  wa^ 
completely  changed.  Every  wnere  one  faw  crowds 
ftaring   at  papers  parted   on  the   walls-^ — breaking 
into  little  parties — -walking  up  and  down  the  ftreets 
in  eager  converiation — adjourning  to  coftee-houfes 
- — and  the  converfation  in  all  companies  turned  to 
politics  alotje  ;  and  in  all  thefe  converfations  a  new 
vocabulary^  where  every  fecond  word  was  Morali- 
ty, Philanthropy,Toleration,FreedomjandEqual!-- 
fation  of  property^  Even  at  this  early  period  pcj  - 
f()ns  were    liitened   to   without  cenfure,  or  even 
furprife,   who  laid    that  it  was  nonfenfe  to  thinic 
of  reforming  their  government,  and  that  it  muft  be 
completely  changed.  In  (hort,   in  the  courfe  of  a 
month,  a  fpirit  of  licentioufnefs  and  a  rage  for  in- 
novation had   completely  pervaded  the  minds  of 
the  Pariiians.  The  moft  confpiciious  proof  of  this 
was  the  unexpected  fate  of  the  Parliam.ent.  It  met 
earlier  than  ujHjal,  and  to  give  greater  eclat  to  its 
patriotic  efforts,  and  completely  to  fecure  the  gra- 
titude of  the  people,  it  ilTued  an  arret  on  the  pre- 
fent  ftate  of  the  nation,   containing  a  number  of 
refolntions  oil    the  different  leading  points  of  na= 
tional  liberty.    A  few  months  ago   thefe   would 
have  been  joyfully  received  as  the  Magna  Charta 
of  Freedom,   and   really  contained  all  that  a  wife 
people  fhoiild  defire;  but   becaufe  the  Parliament 
had  lomctime  before  given  it  as  their  opinion  as 
the  conftitutional  counfel  of  the  Crown,  that  the 
States  fliould  be  convoked  on  the  principles  of  their 
laft  meeting  in  1614,  which  preferved  the  diilinc- 
tionsof  rank,  all  their  pad  fervices  were  forgotten 
— all  their  hard   ilrngglc  with  the  form.er  admi- 
niftration,   and  their  unconquerable  courage  and 
perfeverance,  which- ended  only  with  their  down- 
fal,  all  were  forgotten  ;  and  thofe  dillinguiflied 

members 


CHAP.   iv.  THE    FRENCH    REVOLUTION.  t6g 

members  whofe  zeal  and  futferings  ranked  them 
with  the  mod  renewed  heroes  and  martyrs  of  pa- 
triotiim,  were  now  regarded  as  the  contemptible 
tools  of  Ariftocracy.  The  Parliament  now  let,  in 
a  fiery  troubled  (liy — to  rife  no  more. 

Of  all  the  barrifters  in  the  Parliament  of  Paris, 
the  mod  confpicuous  for  the  difplay  of  the  en- 
chanting doftrines  of  Liberty  and  Equality  was 
Mr.  Duval,  fon  of  an  Avocat  in  the  fame  court, 
and  ennobled  about  this  time  under  the  name  of 
Defprefmenil.  He  was  member  of  a  Lodge  of  the 
^mis  Reunis  at  Paris,  called  the  Contract  Socialy 
and  of  the  Lodge  of  Chevaliers  Bienjaifants  at 
Lyons.  His  reputation  as  a  barriller  had  been  pro- 
digioufly  increafed  about  this  time  by  his  manage- 
ment of  a  caule,  where  the  dcfcendant  of  the  un- 
fortunate General  Lally,  after  having  obtained 
the  reftoration  of  the  family  honours,  was  driv- 
ing to  get  back  fome  of  the  edatcs.  Mr.  Lally 
Tollendahl  had  even  trained  himfclf  to  the  pro- 
feffion,  and  pleaded  his  own  caufe  with  adoniih- 
ing  abilities.  But  Defprefmenil  had  near  connec- 
tions with  the  family  which  was  in  pofleflion  of 
the  edate5,  and  oppofed  him  with  equal  powers, 
and  more  addrefs.  He  was  on  the  fide  which  was 
mod  agreeable  to  his  favourite  topics  of  declama- 
tion, and  his  pleadings  attracted  much  notice  both 
in  Paris  and  in  fome  of  the  provincial  Parliaments. 
I  mention  thefe  things  with  fome  intered,  becaufe 
this  was  the  beginning  of  that  marked  rivaHliip 
between  Lally  Tollendahl  and  Defprefmenil,  which 
made  fuch  a  figure  in  the  Journals  of  the  National 
Aflcmbly.  It  ended  fatally  for  both.  Lally  Tol- 
lendahl was  obliged  to'quit  the  Adembly,  when 
he  faw  it  determined  on  the  dedruclion  of  the 
monarchy  and  of  all  civil  order,  and  at  lad  to 
emigrate  from  his  country  with  the  lofs  of  all  his 

2   L  property, 


fJO  THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION,     CHAP-  iv*» 

property,  and  to  fubllfl  on  the  kindnefs  of  Eng- 
land. Dl'cprelmenil  attained  his  meridian  of  pp- 
pularity  by  his  difcovery  of  the  fccret  plan  of  the 
Court  to  eftablifii  the  Cour  plcnitrc,  and  ever  after 
this  took  the  lead  in  all  the  Itrong  mcafures  of  the 
Parliament  of  Paris,  which  was  now  overilepping 
all  bounds  of  moderation  or  propriety,  in  hopes 
of  preferving  its  influence  after  it  had  rendered 
itfelf  impotent  by  an  unguarded  ilroke.  Defpref- 
Jnenil  was  the  firfl  martyr  of  that  Liberty  and 
Equality  which  it  was  now  boldly  preaching, 
having  voluntarily  furrendered  himfelf*  a  prifoner 
to  the  officer  fent  to  demand  him  from  the  Par- 
liament. He  was  alfo  a  martyr  to  any  thing  that 
remained  of  the  very  (hadow  of  liberty  after  the 
R.evolution,  being  guillotined  by  Robefpierre. 

I  have  already  mentioned  the  intrigues  of  Count 
Mirabeau  at  the  Court  of  Berlin,  and  his  fedi- 
tious  preface  and  notes  on  the  anonymous  letters 
on  the  Rights  of  the  Pruffian  States.  He  alfo, 
while  at  Berlin,  publifhed  an  Ejj'ai  Jur  la  Scdfe  des 
Illumines^  one  of  the  ftrangeit  and  moft .  impu- 
dent performances  that  ever  appeared.  He  there 
defcribes  a  fe£t  exifting  in  Germany,  called  the 
Illuminated^  and  fays,  that  they  are  the  moft  ab- 
furd  and  grofs  fanatics  imaginable,  waging  war 
with  every  appearance  of  Reafon,  and  maintain- 
ing the  moft  ridiculous  fuperftitions.  He  gives 
fome  account  of  thefe,  and  of  their  rituals,  cere- 
monies, &c.  as  if  he  had  feen  them  all.  His  fe£l 
is  a  confufed  mixture  of  Chriftian  fuperftitions, 
Rofycrucian  nonfenfe,  and  every  thing  that  can 
raife  contempt  and  hatred.  But  no  fuch  Society 
ever  exifted,  and  Mirabeau  confided  in  his  own 
povvers  of  deception,  in  order  to  Icreen  from  ob- 
(crvation  thofewho  were  known  to  be  llluminati, 
and  to  hinder  the  rulers  from  attending  to  their 

real 


6HAP.   IV.  THE    FRENCH    REVOLUTION.  Itjl 

real  machinations,  by  means  of  this  Ignis  fatuus 
of  his  own  brain.  He  knew  perfectly  that  the  II- 
luminati  were  of  a  (lamp  diametrically  oppofite  ; 
for  he  was  ilhiminated  by  Mauvillon  long  before. 
He  gained  his  point  in  fome  meafare,  for  Nicho- 
lai  and  others  of  the  junto  immediately  adopted 
the  whim,  and  called  them  Objcurantem,  and 
joined  with  Mirabeau  in  placing  on  the  lift  ofOb- 
fcuraniem  feveral  perfons  whom  they  wilhed  to 
make  ridiculous. 

Mirabeau  was  not  more  difcontented  with  the 
Court  of  Berlin  for  the  fmali  regard  it  had  teftifi- 
ed  for  his  eminent  talents,  than  he  was  withhis 
own  Court,  or  rather  with  the  minifter  Calonne, 
who  had  lent  him  thither.  Calonne  had  been 
greatly  diffatisfied  with  his  condudt  at  Berlin, 
where  his  feif-conceit,  and  his  private  projects, 
had  made  him  ad:  in  a  way  almoft  contrary  to  the 
purpofes  of  his  million.  Mirabeau  was  therefore 
in  a  rage  at  the  minifter,  and  publillied  a  pam- 
phlet, in  which  his  celebrated  memorial  on  the 
ftate  of  the  nation,  and  the  means  of  relieving  it, 
was  treated  with  the  utmoft  leverity  of  reproach; 
and  in  this  conteft  his  mind  was  wrought  up  to 
that  violent  pitch  of  oppoiition  which  he  ever  af- 
ter maintained.  To  be  noticed,  and  to  lead,  were 
hisfole  objects — and  he  found,  ^at  taking  the  fide 
of  the  difcontented  was  the  be# field  for  his  elo- 
quence and  reftlefs  ambition. — Yet  there  was  no 
man  that  was  more  devoted  to  the  principles  of  a 
court  than  count  Mirabeau,  provided  he  had  a 
(hare  in  the  adminiftration ;  and  he  would  have 
obtained  it,  if  any  thing  moderate  would  have 
fatisfied  him — but  he  thought  nothing  worthy  of 
him  but  a  place  of  aftive  truft,  and  a  high  de- 
partment. For  fuch  offices  all  knew  him  to  be  to- 
tally unfit.  He  wanted  knowledge  of  great  things, 

and 


1'jl  THE  FRENCH  REVOEUTION-     CHAP.  iv. 

and  was  learned  only  in  the  buftling  detail  of  iht 
triguc,  and  at  any  time  would  Tacrifice  every 
thing  to  have  an  opportunity  of  exejciiing  his 
brilliant  eloquence,  and  indulging  his  palFion  for 
fatire  and  reproach.— rThe  greatcil  obllacle  to  his 
advancement  was  the  abjedl  worthleifnefs  of  his 
chara£ler.  What  we  uibally  call  profligacy,  viz. 
debauchery,  gaming,  impiety,  and  every  kind  of 
feiifuality,  were  not  enough — he  was  deilitute  of 
decency  in  his  vices — -tricks  which  would  difgrace 
a  thief-catcher,  were  never  boggled  at  in  order  to 
fupply  his  expences.  For  inftance, — His  father  and 
mother  had  a  procefsof  feparation — Mirabcau  liad 
juft  been  liberated  from  prifon  for  a  grofs  mifde- 
meanour,  and  was  in  want  of  money — He  went 
to  his  father,  fided  with  him  in  invedlives  againll 
his  mother,  and,  for  loo  guineas,  wrote  his  fa- 
ther's memorial  for  the  court. — He  then  went  to 
his  mother,  and  by  a  fimilar  conduft  got  the  lame 
fum  from  her- — and  both  memorials  were  prelent- 
ed.  Drinking  was  the  only  vice  in  which  he  did 
not  indulge — his  exhaufted  conflitution  did  not 
permit  it.  His  brother,  the  Vifcount,  on  the  con- 
trary, was  apt  to  exceed  in  jollity.  One  day  the 
Count  faid  to  him,  "  How  can  you,  Brother,  lb 
♦=*  expofe  yourfeif?" *'What!"  fays  the  Vif- 
count,   '*  how    iniatiable  you   are Nature  has 

*'  given  you  evelif  vice,  and  having  left  me  only 
"  this  one,  you  grudge  it  me." — When  the  elec- 
tions were  making  for  the  States-General,  he  of- 
fered himfelf  a  candidate  in  his  own  order  at  Aix 
— But  he  was  fo  abhorred  by  the  NoblefTe,  that 
they  not  only  rejected  him  but  even  drove  him 
from  their  meetings.  This  affront  fettled  his  mea- 
fures,  and  he  det<  rmined  on  their  ruin.  He  went 
to  the  Commons,  difclaimed  his  being  a  gentle- 
man, fat  up  a  little  Ihop  in  the   market  place  of 

Aix 


CHAP.  IV.     THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION.  2^3 

Aix,  and  fold  trifles— and  now,  fnlly  refolved  what 
line  he  fliould  purfue,  he  courted  the  Commons, 
bv  joining  in  all  their  cxcefTes  againft  the  No- 
bielfe,  and  was  at  laft  returned  a  member  of  the 
Allembly. 

From  this  account  of  Mirabeau  wc  can  eafily 
forctel  the  ufe  he  would  make  of  the  lllnminaTion 
which  he  had  received  in  Germany.  Its  grand 
truths  and  juft  morality  feem  to  have  had  the 
lame  eiil'cts  on  his  mind  as  on  that  of  Weilhaupt 
or  Bahrdt. 

In  the  year  1-68,  Mirabcan,  in  conjundtion 
with  the  duke  de  Lauzun  and  the  Abbe  Perigord, 
afterwards  Biihop  of  Autun  (the  man  fo  puft'ed  in 
the  National  Ailemblies  as  the  brighteft  pattern  of 
humanity)  reformed  a  Lodge  of  Philalethes  in 
Paris,  which  met  in  the  Jacobin  College  or  Con- 
vent. It  was  one  of  the  Amis  Reiinis,  which  had 
row  rid  itfelf  of  all  the  infignificant  mylticifm  of 
the  fe6l.  This  was  now  become  troublefome,  and 
took  up  the  time  which  would  be  much  better 
employed  by  the  Chevaliers  du  Soliel,  and  other 
ftill  more  refined  champions  of  reafon  and  uni- 
verfal  citizenfhip.  Mirabeau  had  imparted  to  it 
fome  of  that  Illumination  which  had  beamed  up- 
on him  when  he  was  in  Berlin.  In  1788,  he  and 
the  Abbe  were  wardens  of  the  lodge.  They  found 
that  they  had  not  acquired  all  the  dexterity  of 
management  that  he  underftood  was  praftifed  by 
his  Brethren  in  Germany,  for  keeping  up  their 
connection,  and  conduciing  their  cbrefpondence. 
A  letter  was  therefore  fent  from  this  Lodge,  fign- 
ed  by  thefe  two  gentlemen,  to  the  Brethren  in 
Germany,  requefting  their  affiftance  and  inftruc- 
tion.  In  the  courfe  of  this  year,  and  during  the 
fitting  of  the  Notables,  a  deputation  ;vassent 
from  the  German  liluminati  to  catch  this  glori- 
ous 


274  THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION.  CHAP.   iv. 

ous  opportunity  of  carrying  their  plan   into  fall 
execution  with  the  greateft  ecJat, 

Nothing  can  more  convincingly  demonftrate 
the  early  intentions  of  a  party,  and  this  a  great 
party,  in  France  to  overturn  the  conftitulion  com- 
pletely, and  plant  a  democracy  or  oligarchy  on 
its  ruins.  The  Illuminati  had  no  other  objeft. — 
They  accounted  all  Princes  ufurpers  and  tyrants, 
and  all  privileged  orders  their  abettors.  They  in- 
tended to  eiiablilh  a  government  of  Morality,  as 
they  called  it,  ( Sittenregiment )  where  talents  and 
character  (to  be  eltimatcd  by  their  own  {calc,  and 
by  themfelves)  (hould  alone  lead  to  preferment. 
They  meant  to  abolifli  the  laws  which  protefted 
property  accumulated  by  long  continued  and  fuc- 
cefsful  induftry,  and  to  prevent  for  the  future  any 
fuch  accumulation.  They  intended  to  eftablifti 
univerfal  Liberty  and  Equality,  the  imprefcripti- 
ble  Rights  of  Man,  (at  leaft  they  pretended  all 
this  to  thofe  who  were  neither  Magi  or  R.egentes.) 
And,  as  necelTary  preparations  for  all  this,  they 
intended  to  root  out  all  religion  and  ordinary  mo- 
rality, and  even  to  break  the  bonds  of  domeftiC 
life,  by  deflroying  the  veneration  for  marriage- 
vows,  and  by  taking  the  education  of  children 
out  of  the  hands  of  the  parents.  Tkis  was  all  that 
the  Illuminati  could  teach,  and  THIS  WAS  PRE- 
CISELY WHAT  FRANCE  HAS  DONE. 

I  cannot  proceed  in  the  narration  without  de- 
filing the  page  with  the  detelled  name  of  Orleans, 
flained  with  every  thing  that  can  degrade  or  difgrace 
human  nature.  He  only  wanted  Illumination,  to 
Ihew  him  in  a  fyflem  all  the  opinions,  difpoiitions, 
and  principles  which  filled  his  own  wicked  heart. 
This  contemptible  being  was  illuminated  by  Mira- 
beau,  and  has  ihown  himfelf  the  moft  zealous  dif- 
ciple  of  the  Order.     In  his  oath  of  allegiance  he 

declares 


it 
1( 

a 


•HAP.  IV.      THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION.  ^75 

declares,   "  That  the  interefls  and  the  objed  of  the 
Order  {hall  be  rated  bv  him  above  all  other  rela- 
tions,  and  that  he  will  ferve  it   with  his  honour, 
his    fortune,    and   his  blood." — He  has   kept  his 
word,  and  has  facrificed  them  all — And  he  has   been 
treated   in  the   true  Ipirit   of  the   Order — uied  as  a 
mere    tool,    cheated  and  ruined. — For  I   mull  now 
add,  that  the  French  borrowed  from  the  Illuminati  a 
maxim,  unheard  of  in  any  other  allociation  of  ban- 
ditti, viz.  that  of  cheating  each  other.      As  the  ma- 
nagers   had  the  fole  poffefiion  of  the  higher   myile- 
ries,  and  led  the  reft  by  principles  which  they  held 
lo  be  falfe,  and  which  they   employed  only  for  the 
purpofe  of  fecuring  the  co-operation  of  the  inferior 
Brethren,  fo  Mirabeau,  Sieves,  Pethion,  and  others, 
led   the  Duke  of  Orleans  at  firfl:  by  his  wicked  am- 
bition, and  the  expedation  of  obtaining  that  crown 
which  they    intended  to  break  in  pieces,    that  they 
might  get  the  ufe  of  his   immenfe   fortune,  and  of 
his   influence  on   the  thoufands  of    his   depending 
fycophants,  who   ate  his  bread  and  pandered  to  his 
grofs  appetites.     Although  we  very   foon   find  him 
ading  as  an  Illuminaius^  we  cannot  fuppofe  him  fo 
loll:  to  common  fenfe  as  to  contribute  his  fortune,  and 
rifle  his  life,   merely  in  order  that  the  one  fhould  be 
afterwards   taken   from   him  by  law,  and  the  other 
put  on  a  level  with  that  of  his  groom  or  his  pimp. 
Hefurely  hoped  to  obtain  the  crown  of  his  indolent 
relation.     And  indeed   Mirabeau    laid  to  Bergafle, 
that    "  when  the  projecl  was  mentioned  to  the  Dnke 
*'  of  Orleans,   he  received  it  with  all  pofTible   gra- 
*'  cioufnefs,"  (^avec  toute  la  grace  imaginable.^    Dur- 
ing the  contefts  between   the  Court  and  the  Parlia- 
ment of  Paris,  he  courted  popularity  with  an  inde- 
cency and  folly  that  nothing  can  explain  but  a  mad 
and  fiery  ambition  which  blinded  his  eyes  to  all  con- 
fequences.     This  is  put  out  of  doubt  by  his  behavi- 
'  our 


276  THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION,  CHAP.  iv. 

our  at  Verfailles  on  the  dreadful  5ih  and  6th  of  Oc- 
tober, 1789.     The  depofiiions  at  the  Chatelec  prove 
in  the  molt  incontertible  manner,  that  during  the 
horrois  of  thofe   two  days  he  was  repeatedly  ieen, 
and  that  whenever  he  was  recognized  bv  the  crowd, 
he   was  huzzaed  with    Vive  Orleans^  Vive  notre  Rot 
Orleans^   i'^c. — He  then  withdrew,  and  was  ieen  in 
other  places.     While  all  about  the  unfortunate  Roy- 
al Family  were  in  the  utmoft  concern  for  their  fate, 
he  was  in  gay  humour,  chatting  on  indifferent  fub- 
jeif\s.     His  laft  appearance  in  the  evening  of  the  5tb 
vias  about  nine  o'clock,    converiing  in  a  corner  with 
men  difguifed  in  mean  drefs,  and  loine  in  women's 
clothes ;    among    whom  were    Mirabeau,    Barnave, 
Duport,  and  o'>her  deputies  of  the  Republican  party 
— and  theie  men  were  feen  immediately  after,  con- 
cealed among  the  lints  of  the  regiment  de  Flandre, 
the  corruption  of  which  they  had  that  day  compleat- 
ed.      He   was  feen  again  next   morning,  converfing 
with  the  lame  perfons  in  women's  drels.     And  when 
the  iijfuked    Sovereign   was  dragged   in  triumph  to 
Paris,  Orleans  was  again  feen  fkulking  in  a  balcony 
behind  his  children,  to  view  the  proceflfion  of  devils 
and  furies ;  anxioufly  hoping  all  the  while  that  fome 
difturbance   would    arife  in  which  the  King  might 
perilh. — I  fliould  have  added  that  he  was  feen  in  the 
morning  at  the  top  of  the  itairs,    pointing  the  way 
v/ith  his  hand   to  the  mob,   where   they  (hould  go, 
while  he  went  by  another  road   to    the    King.     In 
fhort,  he  went  about  trembling  like  a  coward,  wait- 
ing for  the  exploiion  which  might  render  it  fafe  for 
him  to  (hew  himfelf.     Mirabeau  faid  of  him,  "  The 
fellow  carries  a  loaded  pillol  in  his  bofom,  but  will 
never  dare  to  pull  the  trigger."     He  was  faved,  not- 
withQanding  his  own  folly,   by  being  joined  in  the 
accufdtion  with  Mirabeau,  who  could  not  refcue  him- 
felf without  ftriving  alfo  for  Orleans,  whom  he  def- 

pifcd, 


CHAP.  iVi  TftE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION.  277 

pifed,  while  he  made  ufe  of  his  fortune. — In  fhort, 
Orleans  was  but  half  illuminated  at  this  time,  and 
hoped  to  be  King  or  Regent. 

Yet  he  was  deeply  verfed  in  the  preparatory  lef- 
fous.  of  Iliurainatifni,  and  well  convinced  of  its  fun- 
damental truths.  He  was  well  aifured  of  the  greal: 
iaflaence  of  the  women  in  fociety,  and  he  employed 
this  influence  like  a  true  difciple  of  Weifhaupt. — 
Above  chiee  hundred  nymphs  from  the  purlieus  of 
the  Paiais  Royal  were  provided  with  ^cus  and  Louis 
d'ors,  by  his  grand  procureur  the  Abbe  Sieyes,  and 
were  fent  to  meet  and  to  illuminate  the  two  battalions 
of  the  Regiment  de  Flandre,  who  were  coming  to 
Verfailles  for  the-protedion  of  the  Royal  Family, 
The  privates  of  one  of  thefe  regiments  came  and  in- 
formed their  officers  of  this  attempt  made  on  their 
loyalty.' — 45,0001.  livreswere  given  them  at  St.  De- 
nys,  to  make  them  difband  themfelves — and  the 
poor  lads  were  at  firll  dazzled  by  the  name  of  a  fum 
that  was  not  familiar  to  them — but  when  fome  think- 
ing head  among  them  told  them  that  it  only  amount- 
ed to  two  Louis  d'ors  a  piece,  they  difclofed  the  bri- 
bery. They  were  then  offered  90,000,  but  never 
faw  it.  (Depofitions  at,  the  Chatelet  No.  317.) 
Mademoifelle  Therouane,  the  favorita  of  the  day, 
at  the  Palais  Royal,  was  the  moft  adive  perfon  of  the 
armed  mob  from  Paris,  drefled  en  Amazonne-,  with 
all  the  elegance  of  the  opera,  and  turned  many- 
young  heads  that  day  which  were  afterwards  taken 
off  by  the  guillotine.  The  Duke  of  Orleans  acknow- 
ledged, before  his  death,  that  he  had  expended  above 
50,0001.  fterling  in  corrupting  the  Gardes  Francoifes* 
The  armed  mob  which  came  from  Paris  to  Verfailles 
on  the  5ih  of  Odober,  importuning  the  King  for 
bread,  had  their  pockets  filled  with  crown  pieces — 
and  Orleans  was  feen  on  that  day  by  two  gent4emen, 
with  a  bag  of  money  fo  heavy  that  it  was  faffened  to 

2  M  '  hig 


27B  THE    FRENCH    REVOLUTIOrC.  CHAP.  iV. 

his  clothes  with  a  flrap,  to  hinder  it  from  being  op- 
preflive,  and  to  keep  it  in  luch  a  pofition  that,  it 
fhould  be  acceflible  in  an  inflant.  (See  the  Depoii- 
tionsat  the  Chatelet,  No.  177.) 

But  fuch  was  the  contempt  into  which  his  grofs 
profligacy,  his  cowardice,  and  his  niggardly  difpoii- 
ijon,  had  brought  him  with  all  parties,  that,  if  he 
had  noi  been  quite  blinded  by  his  wicked  ambition, 
and  by  his  implacable  refentment  of  fome  bitter 
taunts  he  had  gotten  from  the  King  and  Qiieen,  he 
mull:  have  feen  very  early  that  he  was  to  be  facrificed 
33  foon  as  he  had  ferved  the  purpofes  of  the  facflion. 
At  prefent,  his  alliftance  was  of  the  utmofi:  confe- 
quence.  His  immenfe  fortune,  much  above  three 
millions  flerling,  was  almoft  exhaufled  during  the 
three  firft  years  of  the  Revolution.  But  (what  was 
of  more  confequence)  he  had  almoft  unbounded 
auihoritv  among  the  Free  Mafons. 

In  this  country  we  have  no  conception  of  the 
authority  of  a  National  Grr>nd  Mafter.  When 
Prince  Ferdinand  of  Brunfwick,  by  great  exertions 
among  the  jarring  feds  in  Germany,  had  got  him- 
felf  eleded  Grand  Mafler  of  the  Stri5l  Obfervanz^ 
it  gave  ferious  alarm  to  the  Emperor,  and  to  all  the 
Princes  of  Germany,  and  contributed  greatly  to 
their  connivance  at  the  attempts  of  the  lUumina- 
ti  to  difcredit  that  party.  In  the  great  cities  of 
Germany,  the  inhabitants  paid  more  refpedl  to  the 
Grand  TVIaftcr  of  the  Mafons  than  to  their  refpec- 
tive  Princes.  The  authority  of  the  D.  of  Orleans 
in  France  was  dill  greater,  in  confequence  of  his 
employing  his  fortune  to  fupport  it.  About  eight 
years  before  the  Revolution  he  had  (not  without 
much  intrigue  and  manv  bribes  and  promifcs) 
been  eifctcd  Grand  Mailer  of  France,  having 
under  his  dircftions  all  the //vr/'roi'fii Lodge?.  The 
whole  AfTociation  was  called  the  Grand  Orient  de 

la 


CHAP.   iv.  THE   FRENCH  REVOLUTION.  279 

la  France^  and  in  1785  contained  266  of  thcfe 
Lodges;  (iee  Freymaurerifche  Zeitungy  Neuwicd 
1787.)  Thus  he  had  the  management  of  all  thofe 
Secret  Societies  ;  and  the  licentious  and  irreligi- 
ous fentiments  which  were  currently  preached 
there,  were  fure  of  his  hearty  concurrence.  The 
fame  intrigue  which  procured  him  the  fupreme 
chair,  muil  have  filled  the  Lodges  with  his  de- 
pendents and  emiiTaries,  and  thefe  men  could  not 
better  earn  their  pay,  than  by  doing  their  utmoft 
to  propagate  infidelity,  immorality,  and  impurity 
of  manners. 

But  fomething  more  was  wanted  :  Difrefpeft 
for  the  higher  Orders  of  the  State,  and  difloyalty 
to  the  Sovereign. — It  is  not  fo  eafy, to  conceive 
how  thcle  fentiments,  and  particularly  the  latter, 
could  meet  with  toleration,  and  even  encourage- 
ment, in  a  nation  noted  for  its  profefllons  of  vene- 
ration for  its  Monarch,  and  for  the  pride  of  its 
Noblefle.  Yet  I  am  certain  that  fuch  do£lrines 
were  habitually  preached  in  the  Lodges  of  Phila- 
lethas^  and  Amis  Reunis  de  la  Verits,  That  they 
fhould  be  very  current  in  Lodges  of  low-born 
Literati,  and  other  Brethren  in  inferior  ftations, 
is  natural,  and  I  have  already  faid  cncigh  on  this 
head.  Bat  the  French  Lodges  contained  many 
gentlemen  in  eafy,  and  ajffluent  circumflanccs.  I 
do  not  expeft  fuch  confidence  in  my  affertions,  that 
even  in  theie  the  fame  opinions  were  very  preva- 
lent. I  was  therefore  much  pleafed  with  a  piece  of 
information  which  I  got  while  thefe  fheets  were 
printing  off,  which  corroborates  my  afl'ertions. 

This  is  a  performance  called  La  voile  retiree^  on  le 
Secret  ds  la  Revolution  explique  par  la  Franc  Macon- 
nerie.  It  was  written  bv  a  Mr.  Lefranc,  Prefident 
of  the  Seminary  of  the  Eudijis  at  Caen  in  Norman- 
dy, and  a  fecond  edition  was  publifhed  at  Paris  in 

1792. 


«8o  THE   FRENCH  REVOLUTION.  CHAP.  Iv, 

1792.      The  author  was  butchered  in  the  maflacre  of 
September.     He  fays,  that  on  the  death  of  a  friend, 
who  liad  been  a  very  zealous  Malon,  and  many  years 
MaQer  of  a  refpedable  Lodge,  he  found  among  his 
papers  a  collevflion  of  Mafonic  writings,  containing 
the  rituals,  catechifms,  and  fymbols  of  every  kind, 
belonging  to  a  long  train  of  degrees  of  Free  Mafon- 
ry,    together  with  many  difcourfes  delivered  in  dif- 
ferent  Lodges,  and  minutes  of  their  proceedings. 
The  perufal  filled  him  with  afloniihment  and  anxiety . 
For  he  found  that  dodrines  were  taught,  and  maxims 
of  conduct  were  inculcated,  which  were  fubverlive 
of  religion  and   of  all  good  order  in  the  Ibte  ;  and 
which  not  only  countenanced  difloyalcy  and  fedition, 
but  even  invited  to  it.     He  thought  them  fo  dange- 
rous to  the  ftate,  th^t  he  itnt  an  account  of  them  to 
the  Archbifhop  of  Paris  long  before  the  Revolution, 
and  always  hoped  that  that  Reverend  Prelate  would 
reprefent  the  matter  to  his  Majefiy's  Miniflers,  and 
that  they  would  put  an  end  to  the  meetings  of  this 
'dangerous  Society,  or  would  at    leaf!  reftrain  them 
from  fuch  excefles.     But   he    was  difappointed,  and 
therefore  thought  it  his  duty  to  lay  theni  before  the 
public*. 

Mr.  Lefranc  fays  exprefsly,  that  this  fhocking 
perverfion  of  Free  Mafonry  to  feditious  purpofes 

*  Had  the  good  man  been  fpared  but  a  few  months,  bis  fur- 
prife  at  this  negleft  would  have  ceafed.  For,  on  the  19th  of 
November  i  793,  the  Archbifhop  of  Paris  came  to  the  Bar  of  the 
Affembly,  accompanjed  by  his  Vicar  and  eleven  other  Clergymen, 
who  there  renounced  their  Chriftianity  and  their  clerical  vows  j 
acknowledging  that  they  had  played  the  villain  for  many  years 
againft  their  confciences,  teaching  what  they  knew  to  be  a  lie,  and 
were  now  refolyed  to  be  honeft  men.  The  Vicar  indeed  had  be- 
haved like  a  true  Jlluminatus  fome  time  before,  by  running  off  vrith 
another  man's  wife  and  his  ftrong  box.- — None  of  them,  however, 
fecm  to  have  attained  the  higher  myfterics,  for  they  were  all  guil- 
lotined not  long  after. 

was, 


£HAP.   iv,  THE    FRENCH    REVOLUTION,  Sfil 

was,  in  a  great  meafure,  but  a  late  thing,  and  was 
chiefly  brought  about  by  the  agents  of  the  Grand 
Mafter,  the  Duke  of  Orleans.     He  was,  however, 
of  opinion  that  the  whole  Mafonic  Fraternity  was 
hoftile   to  Chriftianity  and  to   good  morals,  and 
that  it  was  the  contrivance  of  the  great  fclufmatic 
Fauftus  Socinus,  who  being  terrified  by  the  fate  of 
Servctns,   at  Geneva,  fell  on  this  method  of  pro- 
mulgating his  doctrines  among  the  great  in  fecret. 
This  opinion  is  but  ill  fupported,  and  is  incompa- 
tible with  many  circumitances  in  Free  Mafonry-^ 
But  it  is  out  of  our  way  at  prefent.    Mr.  Lefranc 
then  takes  particular  notice  of  the  many  degrees 
of  Chivalry  cultivated  in  the  Lodges,   and  (hows 
how,  by  artful  changes  in  the  fuccellive  explana- 
tions of  the  fame  fymbols,  the  doftrines  of  Chrif- 
tianity,   and  of  all   revealed   religion,    are    com- 
pletely exploded,  and  the  Philofophe  Inconnu  be* 
comes  at  iaft  a  profefTed   Atheilt. — He  then  takes 
notice  of  the  political  dodtrines  which  are  in  like 
manner  gradually  unfolded,   by  which  "  patriot- 
"  ifm  and  loyalty  to  the  prince  are  declared  to  be 
*'  narrow  principles,  inconfificnt  with  univerfal 
"  benevolence,    and  with   the  native  and  impre- 
*'•  fcriptible  lights  of  man  ;  civil  fubordination  is 
"  actual  oppreffion,  and  Princes  are  ex  officio  ufur- 
•*  pers  and  tyrants."    Thefe  principles  he  fairly 
deduces  from  the  Catechifms  of  the  Chevalier  du 
So  lie  I,   and  of  the  Philofophe   Inconnu,     He  then 
proceeds  to  notice  more  particularly  the  intrigues 
of  the  Duke  of  Orleans.  From  thefe  it  appears  evi- 
dent that  his  ambitious  views  and  hopes  had  been 
of  long  Handing,    and  that  it  was  entirely  by  his 
fupport   and  encouragement   that  feditious    doc- 
trines were  permitted  in  the  Lodges.     Many  no- 
blemen  and  gentlemen  were  difgufted    and   left 
thefe  Lodges,  and  advantage  was  taken  of  their 

abfcocc 


282  THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION.      CHAP.  iv. 

abfencc  to  improve  the  Lodges  flill  more,  that  is 
to  make  them  dill  more  anarchical  and  leditiou?. 
Numbers  of  paltry  foribblers  who  haunted  the 
Palace  Royal,  were  admitted  into  the  Lodges,  and 
there  vented  their  poifonousdodrines.  The  Dni<e 
turned  his  chief  attention  to  the  French  guards, 
introducing  many  of  the  privates  and  inferior  of- 
ficers into  the  obfcure  and  even  the  more  refpec- 
table  Lodges,  fo  that  the  officers  were  frequently 
difgufted  in  the  Lodges  by  the  infolent  behaviour 
of  their  own  foldicrs  under  the  mafk  of  Mafonic 
Brotherhood  and  Equality — and  this  behaviour  be- 
came not  unfrequent  even  out  of  doors.  He  aiferts 
with  great  confidence  that  the  troops  were  much 
corrupted  by  thefe  intrigues — and  that  when  they 
fometimes  declared,  on  fervicc,  that  they  wpuld 
not  fire  on  their  Brethren,  the  phrafe  had  a  parti- 
cular reference  to  their  Mafonic  Fraternity,  be- 
caufe  they  recognifcd  many  of  their  Brothel-  Ma- 
fons  in  every  crowd. — And  the  corruption  was  by 
no  means  confined  to  Paris  and  its  neighbourhood, 
but  extended  to  every  place  in  the  kingdom 
where  there  was  a  Municipality  and  a  Mafon 
Lodge. 

Mr,  Lefranc  then  turns  our  attention  to  many 
peculiarities  in  the  Pvevoiution,  which  have  a  re- 
semblance to  the  praftices  in  Free  Mafonry.  Not 
only  was  the  arch  rebel  the  Duke  of  Orleans,  the 
Grand  Mafter,  but  the  chief  actors  in  the  Revolu- 
tion, Mirabeau,  Condorcct,  l^ochefoucault,  and 
others,  were  diftinguiilied  otficc-bearers  in  the 
great  Lodges.  He  lays  that  the  diftribution  of 
France  into  departments,  diftridls,  circles,  can- 
tons, Scz.  is  perfeftly  fimilar,  witli  the  fame  de- 
nominatiunn,  to  a  diltribution  which  lie  had  re- 
marked in  the  correipondence  of  the  Grand  Ori- 
ent*. 


CHAP.  IV,  THE    FRENCH    REVOLUTION. 

ent*.  The  Prefjdent's  hnt  in  the  National  AlTem- 
bly  is  copied  from  tliat  cf  a  Tres  P'encrahle  Grand 
Maitre. — The  fcarf  of  a  Municipal  Oificer  is  the 
lame  with  that  of  a  Brother  Apprentice.— \Vh^.n 
the  Airembly  celebrated  the  Revolution  in  the 
Cathedral,  they  accepted  of  the  higheft  honours 
of  Mafonry  by  pafiin^  under  the  Arch  of  Stfel^ 
formed  by  the  drawn  (words  of  two  ranks  of  Bre- 
thren. — Alfo  it  is  worthy  of  remark,  that  the  Na- 
tional Airembly  protec\ed  the  meetings  of  Free 
Mafons,  while  it  prcremptorily  prohibited  every 
other  private  meeting.  The  obligation  of  laying 
afide  all  flars,  ribbands,  erofies,  and  other  honour- 
able dillinclions,  under  the  pretext  of  Fraternal 
Equality,  was  not  merely  a  prelude,  but  was  in- 
tended as  a  preparation  for  the  de(lru6tion  of  all 
civil  difiindtions,  which  took  place  almoit  at  the 
beginning  of  the  Revolution, — and  the  Jirjl  pra- 
pojal  of  a  fiirrender^  fays  Mr.  Lcfranc,  "jj.as  made 
by  a  zealous  Majcn. — He  farther  obferves,  that 
the  horrible  and  fanguinary  oaths,  the  daggers, 
death-heads,  crofs-bones,  the  imaginary  combats 
with  the  murderers  of  Hiram,  and  many  other 
gloomy  cerenionies,  have  a  natural  tendency  to 
harden  the  heart,  to  remove  its  natural  difguit  at 
deeds  of  horror,  and  have  paved  the  way  for  thofc 
liiocking  barbarities  whicii  have  made  the  name 
of  Frenchmen  abhorred  over  all  Europe.  Thcfe 
deeds  were  indeed  perpetrated  by  a  mob  of  fana- 
tics ;  but  the  principles  were  promulgated  and 
foftered  by  perlbns  who  ftyle  themrelves  philo- 
fophers. 

I  fee  more  evidence  of  thefe  important  fa^s  in 
another  book  jult  publKhed  by  an  emigrant  gen- 

*  I  cannot  help  obferving,  that  it  is  peifeAly  Hmilar  to  the  ar- 
rangement and  denominations  which  appear  in  the  fecret  corrcf- 
pondence  of  the  Bavarian  Ilhiminati. 

tlrm.in 


284         THI  FRENCH  RKVOLUtlOf;.     CHAP.  IV. 

tleman  (Mr.  Latocnaye).  He  confirms  my  repeat- 
ed afTertions,  that  ail  the  irreligious  and  leditious 
do£trines  were  the  fubjedts  of  repeated  harangues 
in  the  Mafon  Lodges,  and  that  all  the  principles 
of  the  Revolution,  by  which  the  public  mind  was 
as  it  were  fet  on  fire,  were  nothing  but  enthufiaf- 
tic  amplifications  of  the  common-place  cant  of 
Free  Mafonry,  and  arofe  naturally  out  of  it.  He 
even  thinks  "  that  this  mujl  ofnecejjify  be  the  cafe 
*'  in  every  country  where  the  minds  of  the  lower 
**  claflesof  the  State  are  in  any  way  confiderably 
**  fretted  or  irritated  ;  it  is  aimoft  impolfible  to 
'*  avoid  being  drawn  into  this  vortex,  whenever 
*'  a  difcontentcd  mind  enters  into  a  Mafon  Lodge. 
**  The  ftale  flory  of  brotherly  love,  which  at  an- 
*'  other  time  would  only  lull  the  hearer  aileep, 
*'  now  makes  him  prick  up  his  ears,  and  liflen 
"  with  avidity  to  the  lllly  tale,  and  he  cannot 
*'  hinder  fretting  thoughts  from  continually  rank- 
"  ling  in  his  mind." 

Mr.  Latocnaye  fays  exprefsly,  *'  That  notwith- 
*'  ftanding  the  general  contempt  of  the  public  for 
"  the  Duke  of  Orleans,  his  authority  as  Grand 
"  Mafler  of  the  Mafons  gave  him  the  greateft 
"  opportunity  that  a  feditious  mind  could  defire 
"  for  helping  forward  the  Revolution.  He  had 
"  ready  to  his  hand  a  connedted  fyftem  of  hidden 
"  Societies,  protected  by  the  State,  habituated  to 
**  fecrecy  and  artifice,  and  already  tinged  with 
**  the  very  enthufiafm  he  wifhed  to  infpire.  in. 
"  thefe  he  formed  political  committees,  into  which 
**  only  his  agents  were  admitted.  He  filled  the 
**  Lodges  with  the  French  guards,  whom  he  cor- 
**  rupted  with  money  and  hopes  of  preferment; 
**  and  by  means  of  the  Abbe  Sieyes,  and  other 
*'  emiffaries,  they  were  harangued  with  all  the  fo- 
"  phiftical  decla«iation,  or  cant  of  Mafonry." 

Mr. 


tHAPi   iv.  THE    FRENCH    REVOLUTION^  285 

Mr.  Latociiaye  fays,  that  all  this  was  peculiar 
to  the  Lodges  of  the  Grand  Orient  ;  but  that 
there  were  nidiiy  (not  very  many,  if  we  judge  by 
the  Neuwied  alinanac,  which  reckons  only  289111 
all  France  in  1784,  of  vv'hich  266  were  of  the 
Grand  Orient)  Lodges  who  continued  on  the  old 
plan  of  ainiifing  theml'elves  with  a  little  folemn  trif-' 
Hnf.  He  coincides  with  Mr.  Lefranc  in  the  opinion 
that  the  awful  and  gloomy  rituals  of  Mafonry,  and 
particularly  the  fcvere  trials  of  confidence  and  fub- 
miffion,  mufi:  have  a  great  tendency  to  harden  the 
heart,  and  fit  a  man  for  attrocions  adtions.  No  one 
can  doubt  of  this  who  reads  the  following  inftance  : 
"  A  candidate  for  reception  into  one  of  the 
*'  higheft  Orders,  after  having  heard  many  threat- 
*'  enings  denounced  againil  all  who  fhould  betray 
"  the  Secrets  of  the  Order,  was  condu£ted  to  a 
"  place  where  he  faw  the  dead  bodies  of  fevcral 
"  who  were  laid  to  have  fuffered  for  their  trea- 
*'  chery.  He  then  faw  his  own  brother  tied  hand 
*'  and  footj  begging  his  mercy  and  interceffion, 
"  He  was  informed  that  this  perfon  was  about  to 
'  fuffer  the  punilhment  due  to  this  offence,  and 
that  it  was  referved  for  him  (the  candidate)  to 
be  the  inflrument  of  this  juft  vengeance,  and 
that  this  gave  him  an  opportunity  of  manifefl- 
ing  that  he  was  completely  devoted  to  the  Or- 
*'  der.  It  being  obferved  that  his  countenance 
"  gave  figns  of  inward  horror,  (the  perfon  in 
*'  bonds  imploring  his  mercy  all  the  while)  he 
"  was  told  that  in  order  to  fpare  his  feelings,  a 
"  bandage  fliould  be  put  over  his  eyes.  A  dagger 
*'  was  then  put  into  his  right  hand,  and  being 
*'  hood-winked,  his  left  hand  was  laid  upon  the 
"  palpitating  heart  of  the  criminal,  and  he  was 
"  then  ordered  to  ftrike.  He  inftantly  obeyed  ; 
"  and  when  the  bandage  was  taken  from  his  eyes, 

2  N  he 


(I 

ii 


286         THt  FRENCH  REVOLLTIGX.     CHAP.  iV. 

"  he  faw  that  it  was  a  lamb  that  he  had  ftabbed. 
**  Siirclv  (bch  trials  and  fuch  v^anton  cruelty  are 
*'  fit  only  for  training  conlpirators." 

Mr.  Latocnaye  adds,  tliat  "  when  he  had  been 
*'■  initiated,  an  old  gentleman  afked  him  what  he 
"  thought  of  the  whole  ?"  lie  anfwered,  "  A  great 
"  deal  of  noife,  and  much  nonfenfe."  ■■' Nonienfe." 
faid  the  other,  ^'  don't  judge  foralhly,  young  man  ; 
''  I  have  worked  tliele  twenty-five  years,  and  the 
"  farther  I  advanced,  it  intereOed  me  the  more  ; 
'^  but  I  Oopped  {hort,  and  nothing  {hall  prevail  on 
*'  me  to  advance  a  fiep  farther."  In  another  con- 
verfation  the  gentleman  faid,  "  I  imagine  that  my 
''  tloppage  was  owing  to  my  refufal  about  nine  years 
*'  ago,  to  liflen  to  iome  perlons  who  made  to  me, 
*'  out  of  the  Lodge,  propofals  which  were  feditious 
''  and  horrible;  for  ever  fince  that  time  I  have  re- 
*'  marked,  that  my  higher  Brethren  treat  me  wi  Ii  a 
"  much  greater  referve  than  they  had  done  before, 
*'  and  that,  under  the  pretext  of  further  inflrudiori; 
'•'■  they  have  laboured  to  confute  the  notions  which 
"  I  had  already  acquired,  by  giving  fome  of  the 
"■  moll:  delicate  fubjecfis  a  different  turn.  I  faw 
*'■  that  they  wanted  to  remove  fome  fufpicions  which 
**•  I  was  beginning  to  form  concerning  the  ultimate 
*'  feope  of  the  whole." 

I  imagine  that  thele  obfeivations  will  leave  no 
doubt  in  the  mind  of  the  reader  with  refpccl  to  the 
influence  of  the  fecret  Fraternitv  of  Free  Mafonrv 
in  the  French  Revolution,  and  that  he  vvill  allow  it 
to  be  highly  probable  that  the  infamous  Duke  of  Or- 
leans had,  from  the  beginning,  entertained  hopes  of 
mounting  the  throne  of  France.  It  is  not  my  pro- 
vince to  prove  or  difprove  this  point,  only  I  think 
it  no  lefs  evident,  from  nianv  circumflances  in  the 
iranlaciions  of  thofe  tumultuous  days,  that  tiie 
asf\ive  leaders   had   quite  dijTcrent  vicus,  and  were 

Jnipelied 


CHAP.   iv.  THE    FRENCH    REVOLUTION.  ^87 

impelled  bvfanntical  notions  of  democratic  felicitv, 
or,  more  probably,  by  their  own  ambition  to  be  the 
movers  of  this  vafi  machine,  to  overturn  the  ancient 
government,  and  ered  a  republic,  of  which  they 
hoped  to  be  the  managers*.  Mirabeau  had  learned 
when  in  Germany  that  the  principles  of  anarchy 
had  been  well  digefled  into  a  fyliem,  and  therefore 
wifhed  for  fome  inftrudionas  to  the  fubordinate  de- 
tail of  the  buhnefs,  and  for  tin's  purpofe  requeued  a 
deputation  from  the  llhiniinatL 

In  fuch  a  caufe  as  this,  we  may  be  certain  that  no 
ordinary  perfon  would  be  fent.  One  of  the  depu- 
ties was  Ameliiis,  the  next  perfon  in  the  order  to 
Spartacus  and  Ph  lo.  His  worldly  nan;e  was  Johann. 
J.  C.  Bode,  at  Weimar,  privy-counfellor  to  the 
Prince  of  liefie-Darmftadt.  (See  Fragmente  der 
Biographie  des  verftorhenes  Freyherr  Bode  in  Weiynar^ 
7/i!t  ziiverlqffigen  Urkunder,  2)Vo.  Eiom.  1795.  See 
alfo  Endliche  Sbickfall  der  Freymaurev:')',  1794  ;  alfo 
IViener  Zeitfchrift  fur  1793-) — This  perfon  has 
played  a  principal  part  in  the  whole  fcbeme  of  Illu- 
mination. He  was  a  perfon  of  confiderable  and 
fhowy  talents  as  a  writer.  He  had  great  talents  for 
converfation,    and  had  kept  good  company.      With 

*  The  depofitions  at  the  Chatelet,  which  I  have  ah-eady  quoted, 
give  repeated  and  unequivocal  proofs,  that  he,  with  a  confiderable 
number  of  the  deputies  of  the  National  AfTembly,  had  formed 
this  plot  before  the  5th  of  OAober  1789.  That  trial  was  con- 
dudled  in  a  flrange  manner,  partly  out  of  refpeft  for  the  Royal 
Faniily,  which  (till  had  fome  hearts  affedlionately  attached  to  it, 
and  to  the  monarchy,  and  partly  by  reafon  of  the  fears  of 
the  members  of  this  court.  There  was  now  no  fafety  for  any 
perfon  who  differed  from  the  opinion  of  the  frantic  populace  of 
Paris.  The  chief  points  of  acciifatlon  were  written  in  a  fchedule 
which  is  not  publifhed,  and  the  witneffes  were  ordered  to  depofe 
on  thefe  in  one  general  Yes  or  No  ;  fo  that  it  is  only  the  leaft  im- 
portant part  of  the  evidence  that  has  been  printed.  I  am  well 
informed  that  the  whole  of  it  is  carefully  preferved,  and  will  one 
day  appear. 

refped 


288  THE  FRENCH  EVOLUTION.  CHAP.    W. 

refpe^l  to  his  myftical  charader,  his  ■experience  wns 
gr^at.  He  was  one  of  the  Templar  Mafons,  and  a- 
mong  them  was  Eqiifs  a  Liliis  Convallium.  He  had 
fpeculatedmuch  about  the  origin  and  hiftorv  of  Ma- 
IbnrVi  and  when  at  the  Willemfbad  convention, 
was  converted  to  IlluQiinatifm.  He  was  the  great 
inrtigator  of  Nicholai,  Gedicke,  and  BieHer,  to  the 
hunt  after  Jefuits  which  fo  much  occupied  them,  and 
iuggelled  to  Nicholai  his  journey  through  Germany. 
Leuchtfenring  whom  I  mentioned  hefore,  was  only 
the  letter-carrier  between  Bode  and  thefe  three  au- 
thors. He  was  juft  iuch  a  man  as  Weifhaupt  will- 
ed for  ;  his  head  filled  with  Mafonic  fanaticifm,  at- 
taching infinite  importance  to  the  frivolities  of  Ma- 
ibnry,  and  engaged  in  an  enthufiaflic  and  fruitlefs 
refearch  after  its  origin  and  hiilory.  He  had  col- 
leded,  however,  fuch  a  number  of  archives  (as  they 
were  called)  of  Free  Mafonry,  that  he  fold  his  manu- 
fcript  to  the  Duke  of  Saxe  Gotha,  (into  whofc  fer- 
vice  Weilhaupt  engaged  hirafelf  when  he  was  driven 
from  Bavaria),  for  150  dahlers.  This  little  anec- 
dote fhows  the  high  importance  attributed  to  thofe 
matters  by  perfons  of  whom  we  fliould  expect  better 
things.  Bode  was  aifo  a  mofl  deier mined  and  vio- 
lent materialifl.  Befidesail  thefe  qualities, foaccepta- 
ble  to  the  Illuminati,  he  was  a  dilcontented  Templar 
Mafon,  having  been  repeatedly  difappointed  of  the 
preferment  which  he  thought  himfelf  entitled  to. 
When  he  learned  that  the  firll  operations  of  the  Il- 
luminati were  to  be  the  obtaining  the  fole  direction 
of  the  Mafon  Lodges,  and  of  the  whole  Fraternity, 
his  hopes  revived  of  riling  to  fome  of  the  Ccm- 
manderies,  which  his  enthuliafm,  or  tather  fanati- 
cifm, had  made  him  hope  to  fee  one  day  regained 
by  the  Older  : — but  when  he  found  that  the  next  and 
favourice  objed  v.-as  to  root  out  the  Strift  Objirvanz. 
altogether,  he  ilarled  back.     But  Philo   faw  that  the 

nndernanding 


.CHAP.  iv.  THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION.  28^ 

underftanding  (fliall  we  call  it  ?)  that  can  be  dazzled 
with  one  whim,  may  be  dazzled  with  another,  and 
he  now  attached  h:m  to  Illuminatifm,  by  a  magni- 
ficent difplay  of  a  world  ruled  by  the  Order,  and 
conducted  to  happinels  by  means  of  Liberty  and 
Equality.  This  did  the  buhneis,  as  we  fee  by  the 
private  correfpondence,  where  Philo  informs  Spar- 
tacus  of  his  firlt  ditiiculties  with  Amelius.  Ameli- 
iis  was  gained  over  in  Augufi:  1782,  and  we  fee  by 
the  fame  correfpondence,  that  the  greateil:  aft'airs 
were  foon  entrutled  to  him — he  was  generally  em- 
ployed.to  deal  with  the  great.  When  a  Graf  or  a 
Baron  was  to  he  wheedled  into  the  Order,  Amelius 
was  the  agent. — He  was  alfo  the  chief  operator 
in  all  their  contefts  with  the  Jefuits  and  the  Rofy- 
crucians.  It  was  alfo  Bode  that  procured  the  im- 
portant acceffion  of  Nicholai  to  the  Order,  This 
he  brought  about  through  Leuchtfenring  ;  and  lafl^ 
ly,  his  numerous  connections  among  the  Free  Ma- 
fons,  together  with  Knigge's  influence  among  them, 
enabled  the  liiuminati  to  worm  themfelves  into 
every  Lodge,  and  at  lali  gave  themahnoll:  the  entire 
command  of  the  Fraternity. 

Such  was  the  firll  of  the  deputies  to  France.  The 
other  was  a  Mr.  Buffche,  called  in  the  Order  Bay- 
ard ;  therefore  probably  a  man  of  refpedable  cha- 
rader  ;  for  moll  of  Spartacus's  names  were  hgnifi- 
cant  like  his  own.  He  was  a  militaiyman,  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel in  the  fervice  of  rieii'e  Darmliadt. — 
This  man  alfo  was  a  difcontented  Templar  Mafon, 
and  his  name  in  that  Fraternity  had  been  Equts  a 
Fontibiis  Erenii,  He  was  illuminated  by  Knigge. 
He  had  alfo  been  unfaccefsful  botii  at  court  and  in 
the  field,  in  both  of  which  liquations  he  had  been  at- 
tempting to  make  a  diilinguifhed  figure.  He,  aj  well 
as  Bode,  were  immerfed  in  debts.  Thevwere  there- 

fore 


2gO  THE   FRENCH   REVOLUTION.  CHAI\  iv. 

fore  juft  in  the  proper  temper  for  Cormo-politlcal 
enterprife. 

They  went  to  Paris  in  the  end  of  l  788,  while  tlje 
Notables  were  fitting,  and  all  Paris  was  giving  ad- 
vice. The  alarm  that  was  raifed  about  Animal  Mag- 
neiifm,  which  was  indeed  making  much  noifeatthat 
time,  and  particularly  at  Paris,  was  afiigned  by  theuj 
as  the  great  motive  of  the  journey.  Bode  alfo  laid 
that  he  was  anxious  to  learn  what  were  the  correc- 
tions made  on  the  fyftem  of  the  Chevaliers  Bienfai- 
Jants.  They  had  taken  that  name  at  firft,  to  fcreen 
themfelves  from  the  charges  aeainft  them  under  the 
rsame  of  Templars.  They  had  correiflcd  fomething 
in  their  fyftem  when  they  look  the  name  Philalcthes. 
And  now  when  the  Schilms  of  the  Philaleihcs  were 
healed,  and  the  Brethren  again  united  under  the 
name  of  Amis  Reunis^  he  fufpeded  that  Jefuits  had 
interfered  ;  and  becanfe  he  had  heard  that  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  Amis  Retinis  were  very  noble,  he  wiili- 
ed  to  be  more  certain  that  they  were  purged  of  eve- 
ry thing  Jefuitical. 

The  deputies  accordingly  arrived  at  Paris,  and 
immediately  obtained  adraiffion  into  thefe  two  Fra- 
ternities*.    I'hey  found  both  of  them  in  the  ripell 

*  To  prevent  interruptions,  I  may  jutl  mention  here  the  autho- 
rities for  this  journey  and  co-operation  of  the  two  deputies. 

1.  Em  iv'icht'iger  Aujfchlufs  ubur  en  noch  tvcn'tg  lekannte  Veran- 
lajfuvg  der  Franziifcken  Revolution,    in  the  Vienna  Zeitfchrift   for 

U93»P-  I45- 

2.  Endliche  Shickfall  (les  Freymaurer  OrdetiSy    I794»   p»   19- 

3.  Neuejle  Arbe'itnng  des  Spaitacus  and Pbllo,  Munich,  1793.  p. 

151— 54- 

4.  Hi/lorifche  Nachrichien  uber  die  Franc  Revolution  J  792,   von 

Girtanncr,  var.  he. 

5.  Revrdutions  Almanack  fiir  1792 — 4,  Gottingen,  var.  he. 

6.  Bey t rage  zur  Biographic  des  verjlorbenes  Frey-Herr  v.  Bode , . 

1794- . 

7.  Jlfagazin  des  Liter  at  ur  et  Kurjl,  {or  lyjti   3,   4?   ^c.  £S"V. 

ftate 


CHAP.  iv.     THE  FREN'CH  aEVOLUTIGN.  2^1 

flate  for  Illumination,  having  fhaken  ofFailthe  caba- 
liftical,  chemical,  and  myflical  whims  that  had  for- 
merly diflurbed  them,  and  would  now  take  up  too 
much  of  their  time.  1  hev  were  now  cultivating 
with  great  zeal  the  pbilofuphico  political  doctrines 
of  univerlal  citizenfliip.  Their  leaders,  to  the 
number  of  twenty,  are  mentioned  bv  name  in  the 
Berlin  Monatfchrift  for  1785,  and  among  them  are 
feveral  of  the  firfl:  adors  in  the  French  Revolution. 
But  this  is  nothing  didindlive,  becaufe  perfons  of  all 
opinions  were  Mafons. 

The  Amis  Reunis  were  little  behind  the  Illumi- 
nati  in  every  thing  that  was  irreligious  and  anarchi- 
cal, and  had  no  inclination  for  anv  of  the  formali- 
ties  of  ritual.  Sec.  They  were  already  fit  for  the 
higher  myfleries,  and  only  wanted  to  learn  the  me- 
thods of  bulinefs  which  had  fucceeded  fo  well  in 
fpreading  their  dodrines  and  maxims  over  Germa- 
ny. Befides,  their  do^rines  had  not  been  digelled 
into  a  fyflem,  nor  had  the  artful  methods  of  leading 
on  the  pupils  from  bad  to  worfe  been  pradifed.  For 
hitherto,  each  individual  had  vented  in  the  Lodges 
his  own  opinions,  to  unburden  his  own -mind,  and 
the  Brethren  liflened  for  inllrudion  and  mutual  en- 
couragement. Therefore,  v,-hen  Spartacus's  plan 
was  communicated  to  them,  they  fawat  once  its  im- 
portance, in  all  its  branches,  fuch  as  the  vS.&  of  the 
Mafon  Lodges,  to  fifh  for  Minerva'is — the  rituals  and 
ranks  to  entice  the  young-,  and  to  lead  them  bv  de- 
grees  to  opinions  and  meafures  which,  at  iirfl  fight, 
would  have  (hocked  them.  The  firm  Iiold  which  is 
gotten  of  the  pupils,  and  indeed  of  all  the  inferior 
clafTes,  bv  their  reports  in  the  courfe  of  their  pre- 
tended training  in  the  knowledge  of  themfelves  and 
ofotlierraen — and,  above  all, the  provincial  arrange- 
ment of  the  order,  and  the  clever  fuboidinat  ion  and  en- 
tire dependence  on  a  lelecl  band  or  Fanda?mnnium  at 

Paris, 


2g2  THE    FREN'Cri    REVOLUTION.  CHAP.   iVl 

Paris,  which  fliould  infpire  and  direct  the  whjle. — I 
think  (altho'  I  have  not  exprefsalVertions  oF  the  facl) 
from  the  fubfequent  conduvfi  ot  the  French  revolters, 
that  even  at  this  early  period,  there  were  many  in 
thofe  focieties  who  were  ready  to  go  every  length  pro- 
pofed  to  them  by  the  lUuminati,  fuch  as  the  aboli- 
tion of  royalty,  and  of  all  privileged  orders,  as  ty- 
rants by  nature,  the  annihilation  and  robbery  of  thef 
prieflhood,  the  rooting  out  of  Chriltianity,  and  tlie 
introdudion  of  Atheiim,  or  a  philofophical  chimera 
which  they  were"  to  call  Religion.  Mirabeau  had 
often  fpoken  of  the  laft  branch  of  the  Illuminated 
principles,  and  the  converfations  held  at  Verfailles 
during  the  awful  paufes  of  the  5th  of  Ociober, 
(which  are  to  be  feen  in  the  evidence  before  the 
Chatelet  in  the  Orleaiis  procei's,)  can  hardly  bef 
fuppofed  to  be  the  fancies  of  an  accidental  mob. 

Mirabeau  was,  as  I  have  faid,  at  the  head  of 
this  democratic  party,  and  had  repeatedly  faid^ 
that  the"  only  ufe  of  a  King  was  to  ferve  as  a  pa- 
geant, in  order  to  give  weight  to  public  meafures 
in  the  opinion  of  the  populace. — And  Mr.  Latoc- 
naye  fays,  that  this  party  was  very  numerous,  and 
that  immediately  after  the  imprudent  or  madlrke 
invitation  of  every  fcribbler  in  a  garret  to  give  his 
advice,  the  party  did  not  fcruple  to  fpeak  their 
fentiments  in  public,  and  that  they  v^ere  encou- 
raged in  their  encomiums  on  the  advantages  of  a 
virtuous  republican  government  by  Mr.  Neckar, 
who  had  a  moft  extravagant  and  childifli  predi- 
lection for  the  conftitution  of  Geneva,  the  place 
of  his  nativity,  and  was  alfo  much  tinged  with 
the  Cofmo-political  philofophy  of  the  times.  The 
King's  brothers,  and  the  Princes  of  the  blood, 
prefented  a  memorial  to  his  Majclty,  which  con- 
cluded by  faying,  that  "  the  etlcrvefcnce  of  the 
*'  public  opinions  had  come  to  fuch  a  height  that 

"  the 


^HAP.  iv.  THE    FRENCH    REVOLUTION.  QQ^ 

*'  the  mofl  dangerous  principles^  imported  from 
"  foreign  parts,  were  avowed  in  print  with  per- 
*'•  fe(ft  impunity — that  his  majefty  had  unwarily 
"  encouraged"  every  fanatic  to  didtatc  to  him, 
"  and  to  fpread  his  poifonousfentiments,  in  which 
"  the  rights  of  the  throne  were  not  only  difre- 
"  fpe£ted,  but  were  even  difputed — that  the  rights 
^'  of  the  higher  clalTes  in  the  Hate  ran  a  great  rifle 
"  of  being  fpeedily  fuppreifed,  and  that  nothing 
"  would  hinder  thefacred  right  of  property  from. 
"  being  ere  long  invaded^  and  the  unequal  diftri- 
"  bution  of  wealth  from  being  thought  a  proper 
*'  fubje£t  of  reform.'^ 

When  fuch  was  the  ftate  of  things  in  Paris:  it 
is  plain  that  the  bufinefs  of  the  German  deputies 
would  be  eafily  tranfaited.  They  were  received 
with  open  arms  by  the  PJiilalethes^  the  Amis  da 
la  Verite,  the  Social  Co7iirad^  Sec,  and  in  the 
courfe  of  a  very  few  weeks  in  the  end  of  1788, 
and  the  beginning  of  1789,  (that  is,  feefore  the 
end  of  March)  the  whole  of  the  Grand  Orient, 
including  the  Philalethes,  Amis  Reunis^  MartiniJ- 
tes^  cS:c.  had  the  fecrets  of  Illumination  commu- 
nicated to  therii.  The  operation  naturally  began 
with  the  Great  National  Lodge  of  Paris,  and  thole 
in  immediate  dependence  on  it.  It  would  alfo  feem, 
from  many  circumftances  that  occurred  to  my  ob- 
fervation,  that  the  Lodges  in  Alface  and  Lorraine 
were  Illuminated  at  this  time,  and  not  long  before 
as  I  had  imagined,  Strafourg  I  know  had  been 
Illuminated  long  ago,  while  Philo  was  in  the  Or- 
der. A  circumfcance  ftrikcs  me  here  as  of  fome 
moment.  The  feels  of  Philalethes^  and  Amis 
Reiinis  were  refinements  engrafted  on  the  fyilem 
of  the  Chevaliers  Beinfaijants  at  Lyons.  Such  re- 
finements never  fail  to  be  confidered  as  a  fort  of 
herefy,  and  the  profefTors  will  be  held  with  a  jea- 

::  O  lous 


2g4         T^ME  FRENCH  REVOLUTIONT-     CHAP.  IV. 

lous  and  unfriendly  eye  by  Tome,  who  will  pride 
themfelvcs  on  adhering  to  the  old  faith.  Arid 
the  greater  the  fuccefs  of  the  herefy,  the  greater 
v/ill  be  the  animofity  between  the  parlies. — May 
not  this  help  to  explain  the  mutual  hatred  of  the 
Parifians  and  the  Lyonnois,  which  produced  the 
mofl:  dreadful  attrocitics  ever  perpetrated  on  the 
face  of  the  earth,  and  made  a  flianiblcs  and  a  de- 
fert  of  the  fined  city  of  France  ? 

The  firfl  proceeding  by  the  advice  of  the  de- 
puties -.vas  the  formation  of  a  political  committee 
in  every  Lodge.  This  committee  corrtfponded 
with  the  diftant  Lodges,  and  in  it  were  difcuffed 
and  fettled  all  the  political  principles  which  were 
to  be  inculcated  on  the  members.  The  author  of 
the  Neiicfle  Arheituug  fays  exprcfsly,  that  "  he 
was  thoroughly  initru£i:cd  in  this:  that  it  was 
given  in  charge  to  thefe  committees  to  frame 
general  rules,  and  to  carry  through  the  great 
plan  (grand  auvrej  of  a  general  overturning 
of  religion  and  government."  The  principal 
leaders  of  the  fnbfequent  Revolution  were  mem- 
bers of  thefe  committees.  Here  were  the  plans 
laid,  and  they  were  tranfmitted  through  the  king- 
dom by  the  Correfpondiiig  Committees. 

Thus  were  the  ftupid  Bavarians  (as  the  French 
were  once  pleafed  to  call  them)  their  inflru^lors 
in  the  art  of  overturning  the  world.  Thf  French 
were  indeed  thefiril  who  put  it  in  practice.  Thefe 
committees  arofe  from  the  Illuminati  in  Bavaria, 
who  had  by  no  means  given  overworking;  and 
thefe  committees  produced  the  Jacobin  Club.  It 
is  not  a  frivolous  remark,  that  the  Mafonic  phrale 
of  the  perfons  who  wifli  to  addrefs  the  Brethren, 
'*  (F,  S,je  demande  la  parole,  which  the  F.  S.  re- 
**  ports  to  the  V.  G.  M.  and  which  he  announces 
"  to  the  Brethren  thus,  "  Mes  frercs,  frere  tel 

"  dcmandc 


CHAP.  IV.      THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION.  2Q5 

*'  dcmande  la  parole^  In  parole  lui  ejl  nccordee^^ ^ 
is  exactly  copied  by  the  Jacobin  Club.  There  is 
fiirely  no  natural  connedVion  between  Free  Ma- 
fonry  and  Jacobinifm — but  we  feek  the  link — 11- 
luminatifm. — 

The  office-bearers  of  one  of  the  Lodges  of  Phi- 
lalethes  in  Paris  were  Martin^  Willermooz ^  (who 
had  been  deputy  from  the  Chevaliers  Beinfaifants 
to  the  Wilicmlbad  Convention)  Chappe,  Minet'^^ 
de  la  Henriere^  and  Savatier  de  CAngs.  In  an- 
other (the  Contra^  Social)  the  Political  Commit- 
tee coniiiled  of  Z,<7  Fayette^  Condorcet^  Pethion, 
d'Orkans^  ^jbbe  Bartholis,  a" Aiguillon^  Bailly^ 
Alarq.  de  la  Salle^  DefprefmeniL  This  particular 
Lodge  had  been  founded  and  coudufted  by  one 
De  Leutre^  an  .adventurer  and  cheat  of  the  firft 
magnitude,  who  fonietlmes  made  a  figure,  and  at 
other  times  was  without  a  (liilling.  At  this  very 
time  he  was  a  fpy  attached  to  the  office  of  the  po- 
lice of  Parisf.   The  Duke  of  Orleans  was  Warden 

*  Minet  was,  I  think,  at  this  time  a  player.  He  was  fon  of 
a  furgeon  at  Nantes — robbed  his  father  and  fled — enlifled  in 
Holland — defertcd  and  became  fmuggler — was  taken  and  burnt 
in  the  hand — became  player  and  married  an  atlrefs — then  became 
prieft — and  was  made  BiHiop  of  Nantes  by  Couftard  in  difcharge 
of  a  debt  of  500I.  Mr.  Latocnaye  often  faw  Coultard  kneel  ta 
lilm  for  benedidlion.  It  cannot  be  fuppoled  that  he  was  much  ve- 
nerated in  his  pontificals  in  his  native  city. — It  feeras  Minet, 
Minet,  is  the  call  of  the  children  to  a  kitten — ^This  was  prohibit- 
ed at  Nantes,  and  many  perfons  whipped  for  the  freedom  ufed 
with  his  name. 

f  I  am  told  that  he  now  (or  very  lately)  keeps  the  befl;  com- 
pany, and  lives  in  elegance  and'affluence  in  London. 

Augur ^  fcbtznohata i  medicus^  magus  omnia  nov'ii 
GrtECulus  efur'iens ;  in  ccclumju^trisfibitj^, 
Ingenium  volex  audacia  perdita,  fermo 
Prompiiis. 

X  All  fcicnces  a  hungry  Frenchman  knows, 
And  bid  him  go  to  hell — to  hell  he  goes. 

jfohnfotCs  Tranjlalion, 

o 


CgS         THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION.     CHAP,  iv^ 

oF  the  Lodge.  The  ^bbe  Sieyes  was  a  Brother 
Orator,  but  not  of  this  Lodge,  nor,  I  think,  ot" 
the  former.  It  was  probably  of  the  one  condn6l~ 
ed  by  Mirabeau  and  the  Abbe  Perigord.  But  it  ap- 
pearsfromthepiecefrom  which  I  am  at  prefent  bor- 
rowing, that  Sieyes  was  prefent  in  the  meetings  of 
both  Lodges,  probably  as  vifiting  Brotiier,  employ- 
ed in  bringing  them  to  common  meafurcs.  I  mull 
cbferve,  that  the  fubfequent  condu£l  of  fome  of 
thefe  men  does  not  juft  accord  with  my  conjec- 
ture, that  the  principles  of  the  IHuminati  were 
adopted  in  their  full  extent.  But  we  know  that 
all  the  Bavarian  Brethren  were  not  equally  Illu- 
minated, and  it  would  be  only  copying  their 
teachers  if  the  clevcred  of  thefe  their  Icholars 
fhould  hold  a  fandwn  JanCiorum  among  them- 
felves,  without  inviting  all  to  the  conference.  Ob- 
fervc  too  that  the  chief  lelTon  which  they  were 
now  taking  from  the  Germans  was  the  method  of 
doing  bufintfs^  of  managing  their  correfpondence, 
and  of  procuring  and  training  pupils.  A  French- 
man does  not  think  that  he  needs  inftru6lion  in  any 
thing  Hke  principle  or  fcience.  He  is  ready  oh  all 
occafions  to  be  the  inftrudlor. 

Thus  were  the  Lodges  of  France  converted  in 
a  very  fliort  time  into  a  fet  of  fecret  atfiliated  lo- 
cietics,  correfponding  with  the  mother  Lodges  of 
Paris,  receiving  from  thence  their  principles  and 
inllruftions,  and  ready  to  rile  up  at  once  when 
called  upon  to  carry  on  the  great  work  of  over- 
turning the  fiate. 

Hence  it  has  arifen  that  the  French  aimed,  in 
the  very  beginning,  at  overturning  the  whole- 
world.  In  all  the  revolutions  of  other  countries, 
the  fchemes  and  plots  have  extended  no  farther 
than  the  nation  where  they  took  their  rile.  But 
here  we  have  feen  that  they  take  in  the  whole 

world 


pHAP.  iv.  THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION.  gg^ 

world.  They  have  repeatedly  declared  this  in 
their  manifeflos,  and  they  have  declared  it  by 
their  conduft — This  is  the  very  aim  of  the  Illu- 
minati.  Hence  too  may  be  explained  how  the  re- 
volution took  place  in  a  moment  in  every  part  of 
France,  The  revoUitionary  focieties  were  early 
formed,  and  were  working  in  fecret  before  the 
opening  of  the  National  AlTembly,  and  the  whole 
nation  changed,  and  changed  again,  and  again,  as 
if  by  beat  of  drum.  Thofe  duly  initiated  in  this 
myflery  of  iniquity  were  ready  every  where  at  a  . 
call.  And  we  fee  Weilhaupt's  wifli  accomplidied 
in  an  unexpedted  degree,  and  the  debates  in  a 
club  giving  laws  to  folemn  alfemblies  of  the  na- 
tion, and  all  France  bending  the  neck  to  the  city 
of  Paris.  The  members  of  the  club  are  Illuminati, 
and  fo  are  a  great  part  of  their  correfpondents. — 
Each  operates  in  the  ftate  as  a  Minerval  would  do 
in  the  Order,  and  the  whole  goes  on  with  fyfte- 
matic  regularity.  The  famous  jacobin  Club  was 
juft  one  of  thofe  Lodges,  as  has  been  already  ob- 
ferved  ;  and  as,  among  individuals  one  commonly 
takes  the  lead,  and  contrives  for  the  reft,  fo  it  has 
happened  on  the  prefent  occafion,  that  this  Lodge, 
fupported  by  Orleans  and  Mirabeau,  was  the  one 
that  (lepped  forth  and  lliewcd  itfelf  to  the  world 
and  thus  became  the  oracle  of  the  party  ;  and  all 
the  reft  only  echoed  its  difcourlcs,  and  at  laft  al- 
lowed it  to  give  law  to  the  whole,  and  even  to 
rule  the  kingdom.  It  is  to  be  remarked  too  that 
the  founders  of  the  club  at  Mentz  were  Illumi- 
nati, ( Rslig.  Begebenh.  1793.  p.  448.)  before  the 
Revolution,  and  correfponded  with  another  Lodge 
at  Strafburg  ;  and  thcfe  two  produced  mighty  ef- 
fffts  during  the  year  1790.  In  a  performance  cali- 
co] A'lemoires  Pojlhumes  de  Cujiine  it  is  faid,  that 
when  that  general  was  bending  his  courfe  to  Hol- 
land, 


'XgH  THE    FRENCH    KEVOLUTION.  CHAP.  \v. 

land,  th^  lUnminati  at  Straiburg,  Worms,  and 
Spii'C,  immediately  formed  clubs,  and  invited  him 
into  that  quarter,  and,  by  going  to  Mentz  and  en- 
couraging their  brethren  in  that  city,  they  raifed 
a  party  againft  the  garrifon,  and  aftually  deliver- 
ed i!p  the  place  to  the  French  army. 

A  little  book,  jufl;  now  printed  with  the  title 
Paragrap.han^  ^'^ys,  that  Zimmerman,  of  whom  I 
have  ipolien  more  than  once,  went  to  France  to 
preach  liberty.  He  was  employed  as  a  miHionary 
of  Revolution  in  Alfacc,  where  he  had  formerly 
been  a  moil:  fuccefsful  miilionary  of  Illuminatifm. 
Of  his  former  proceedings  the  following  is  a  curi- 
ous anecdote.  lie  conne6tcd  himielf  with  a  highly 
accompliihed  and  beautiful  woman,  whofc  con- 
verfation  had  fuch  charms,  that  he  fays  (lie  gained 
him  near  a  hundred  converts  in  Spire  alone.  Some 
perfons  of  high  rank,  and  great  exterior  dignity 
of  chara£ter,  had  felt  more  tender  imprellions — 
and  when  the  lady  informed  them  of  certain  con- 
fequences  to  their  reputation,  they  were  glad  to 
compound  matters  with  her  friend  Mr.  Zimmer- 
man, who  either  palled  for  her  huiband  or  took 
the  fcandal  on  himfcif.  He  made  above  T  500 
Louis  d'ors  in  this  way.  When  he  returned,  as  a 
preacher  of  Revolution,  he  ufed  to  moimt  the 
pulpit  with  a  labre  in  his  hand,  and  ba.vl  out, 
*'  Behold,  Frenx:hmen,  this  is  your  God.  This 
"  alone  can  i'ave  you."  The  author  adds,  that 
when  Cudine  broke  into  Germany,  Zimmerman 
got  ad  million  to  him,  and  engaged  to  deliver 
^'I'nnheim  into  his  hands.  To  gain  this  purpofe, 
he  oifercd  to  fet  fome  corners  of  the  city  on  fire, 
and  allured  him  of  fupport.  Ciilline  declined  the 
offer. — Zimmerman  appeared  againfh  him  before 
the  Revolutionary  Tribunal,  and  accufed  him  of 
treachery  to  his  caufe. — CuHine's  anfwer  is  re- 
remarkable, 


CHAP.   IV.  THE    FRENGH    REVOLUTION.  2C)^ 

markable.  *'  Hardly,"  f;iicl  he,  "  had  I  fct  my 
"  foot  in  Germany,  when  this  man,  and  all  the 
*'  fools  of  his  country,  befiegcd  me,  and  would 
*'  have  delivered  up  to  me  their  towns  and  vil- 
**  lages — What  occaiion  had  I  to  do  any  thing  to 
*'  Manheim,  when  the  Prince  vv^as  neutral  ?"  Zim- 
merman found  his  full  account  in  R.obcipierr€'s 
bloody  fway — but  the  (liort  term  of  his  attrocities 
was  alfo  the  whole  of  Zimmerman's  carreer.  He 
was  arrefled,  but  again  liberated,  and  (bon  after 
again  imprifoned,  after  which  1  can  learn  no  more 
of  him.  The  fame  thing  is  pofitively  alfertcd  in 
another  performance,  called  Cri  de  la  Raifon,  and 
in  a  third,  called  Les  Majques  yirrachees.  Ob- 
ferve  too,  that  it  is  not  the  clubs  merely  that  arc 
accufed  of  this  treachery,  but  the  Illuminati.  De 
la  Metlierie  alio,  in  his  preface  to  the  Journal  de 
Phyjique'iox  I790,  fays  exprefsly,  that  "  the  caufe 
"  and  arms  of  France  were  powerfully  fupported 
*'  in  Germany  by  a  fe6t  of  philoibphcrs  called  the 
*'  Illuminated."  In  the  preface  to  \\\^  Journal  icv 
T792,  he  fays,  that  "  Letters  and  deputations  were 
*'  received  by  the  AfTembly  from  feveral  Corref- 
"  ponding  Societies  in  England,  felicitating  them 
*'  on  the  triumph  of  Reafon  and   Humanity",  and 

*•  promifing  them   their  cordial  aliiflance." 

He  read  fome  of  thefe  manifeftos,  and  fays, 
that  "  one  of  them  recommended  ftrongly  the 
"  political  education  of  the  children,  who  fliould 
"  be    taken    from    the    parents    and    trained  up 

*'  for  the  flate." Another  lamented   the  bfje- 

iul  influence  of  property,  faying,  that  "  the  ef- 
**  forts  of  the  Aifembly  would  be  fruitlcfs,  till  the 
"■  fence  was  removed  with  which  the  laws  fo 
*'  anxioufly  fccured  inordinate  wealth.  They 
**  fhould  rather  be  directed  to  the  fupport  of  ta- 
"  Icnts  and   virtue;    becaufe  property  would  al- 

"  ways 


300  THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION.  CH^AP.  IV.', 

"  ways  fiipport  itfelf  by  the  too  great  influence 
**  which  it  had  in  every  corrupted  flate.  The 
**  laws  lliould  prevent  the  too  great  accumulation 

*'  of  it  in  Particular  families." In  fhort,   the 

eounfcl  was  almoil  verbatim  what  the  Abbe  Cof- 
landey  declared  to  have  been  preached  in  the 
meetings  of  the  Illuminati,  which  terrified  him: 
and  his  colleagues,  and  made  them  quit  the  afTo- 
ciation.  Anarcharfis  Cloots,  born  in  Pruflian  Weft- 
phalia,  a  keen  lUuminatus,  came  to  Paris  for  the 
cxprefs  purpoie  of  forwarding  the  great  work,  and 
by  intriguing  in  the  flyle  of  the  Order,  he  got 
himfelf  made  one  of  the  Reprcfentatives  of  the 
Nation.  He  feems  to  have  been  one  of  the  com- 
pleteft  fanatics  in  Cofmo-politifm,  and  jufh  fuch  a 
tool  as  Weifliaupt  would  choofe  to  employ  for  a 
coarfe  and  arduous  job.  He  broke  out  at  once  in- 
to all  the  lilly  extravagance  of  the  unthinking 
herd,  and  his  whole  language  is  jufl  the  jargon  of 
Illumination.    Citizen  of  the  world — Liijerty  and 

Equality,  th.e  imprefcripitible  Rights  of  Man 

Morality,  dear  Morality — Kings  and  Priells  are 
nfelefs  things — they  are  Defpots  and  Corrupters,- 
Sec, — ^He  declared  himfelf  an  atheift,  and  zealonf- 
\y  laboured  to  have  atheiim  eftabliflied  by  law,' 
He  condudted  that  farcical  proceffton  in  the  true 
ilyle  of  the  moft  childiHi  ritual  of  Philo,  where 
counterfeited  deputies  from  all  quarters  of  the 
world,  in  the  dreffcs  of  their  countries,  came  to 
congratulate  the  nation  for  its  vi(^ory  over  Kings 
and  Priefts.  It  is  alfo  w^orthy  of  remark,  tliat  by 
this  time  Lcuchtfenring,  whom  we  have  feen  fo 
zealous  an  lUuminatus,  after  having  been  as  zea- 
lous a  Proteflant,  tutor  of  Princes,  Hofrath  and 
Hofmeifter,  was  now  a  fecretary  or  clerk  in  one 
of  the  Bureaus  of  the  National  Allembly  of 
France. 

I  mav 


t«AP.   iV.  THE    FRENCH    KEVOHJTl0^f.  30f 

I  may  add  as  a  fin  idling  touch,  tliat  the  National 
Affembly  of  France  vvas  the  only  body  of  men  that 
I  have  ever  heard  of  who  openly  and  iyiiematically 
propofed  to  err] ploy  ailalTination,  and  to  inftitute  a 
band  of  patriots,  who  ihor.id  exercife  this  profefiion 
either  by  fword,  pifloi,  or  poifon  ; — and  though  the 
propofal  was  not  carried  into  execution^  it  might  be 
coniidered  as  the  fentiments  of  the  meeting  ;  for  it 
was  only  delayed  till  it  fiiould  be  confidered  how  far 
it  might  not  be  imprudent,  becaufe  they  might  ex-' 
ped  reprifals.  The  Abbe  Dubois  engaged  to  poifon 
the  Corate  d'Artcis  ;  but  was  himfelf  robbed  and 
poifoned  by  his  accomplices. — There  were  llrong 
reafons  for  thinking  that  the  Emperor  of  Germany 
was  poifoned — and  that  Mirabeau  was  thus  treated 
by  his  pupil  Orleans, — alfo  Madame  de  Favras  and 
her  fon.-— -This  was  copying  the  liluminati  very 
carefull3\ 

After  all  thefe  particulars,  can  any  perfon  have  a 
doubt  that  the  Order  of  liluminati  formally  inter- 
fered in  the  French  Revolution,  and  contributed 
greatly  to  its  progrefs?  There  is  no  denying  the  in- 
iblence  and  opprefTion  of  the  Crown  and  the  Nobles, 
nor  the  mifery  and  (lavery  of  the  people,  nor  that 
(here  were  fufficient  provocation  and  caufe  for  a  to- 
tal change  of  meafures  and  of  principles.  But  the 
rapidity  vv'ith  which  one  opinion  was  declared  in 
every  corner,  and  that  opinion  as  quickly  changed, 
and  the  change  announced  every  where,  and  the 
perfed,  conformity  of  the  principles,  and  famenefs 
of  the  language,  even  iir  arbitrary  trifies,  can  hard- 
ly be  explained  in  any  other  way.  It  may  indeed 
be  faid  "  que  lei  beanx  genie s  fe  rencontrent, — tlwc 
*'  wits  jump.  The  principles  are  the  fame,  and 
*'  the  conduct  of  the  French  has  been  fuch  as  the 
•*  liluminati  would  have  exhibited  ;  but  this  is  all 
**  — the  liluminati  no  longer  exiHed."     Eneugh  has 

2  P  beeja 


302  THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION.  CHAP.   iv. 

been  faid  on  this  point  already. — The  fads  are  as 
have  been  narrated.  The  Illiiminati  continued  as 
an  Order^  and  even  held  a{ieinblies,  though  not  {o 
frequently  nor  fo  formally  as  before,  and  though 
their  Areopagus  was  no  longer  at  Munich.  But  let  us 
hear  what  the  French  themfelves  thought  of  the  matter. 
In  1789,  or  the  beginning  of  1790,  a  man'ifejli 
zvas  feni  from  the  Gi^A'tiQ  National  Lodge  of  Free 
Mafons  (fo  it  is  entitled)  at  Paris^  figned  by  the 
Duke  of  Orleans  as  Grand  Majter^  addreffed  and  fent 
to  the  Lodges  in  all  the  refpe^able  cities  of  Europe^ 
exhorting  them  to  unite  for  the  fupport  of  the  French 
Revolution^  to  gain  it  friends^  defenders^  and  dependents  / 
and  according  to  their  opportunities^  and  the  praBica- 
biliiy  of  the  things  to  kindle  and  propagate  the  fpirit 
of  revolution  through  all  lands.  This  is  a  moft  im- 
portant article, and  deferves  a  very  ferious  attention. 
I  got  it  tirfl  of  all  in  a  work  called,  Hochjie  wichtige 
Erinnerungen  zur  rechten  Zeit  uber  einige  der  aller- 
ernjihaftejlen  Angelegenheiten  dicfes  Zeit  alters^  von 
L.  A.  Hoffmann^  Vienna,   1795*. 

The  author  of  this  work  fays,  **  That  every  thing 
**  he  advances  in  thefe  memorandums  is  confiftent 
with  his  own  perfonal  knowledge^  and  that  he  is 
ready  to  give  convincing  proofs  of  them  to  any 
refpe»f\able  perfon  who  will  apply  to  him  perfon- 
ally.  He  has  already  given  fuch  convincing  do- 
cuments to  the  Emperor,  and  to  feveral  Princes, 
that  many  of  the  machinations  occafioned  by  this 
manifedo  have  been  detefled  and  flopped;  and 
he  would  have  no  fcruple  at  laying  the  whole  be- 
fore the  public,  did  it  not  unavoidably  involve 
*'  feverai  worthy  perfons  who  had  fuffered  them- 
'■'  felves  to  be  mifted,  and  heartily  repented  of  their 

*  MoS:  taiportant  Memorandums,  in  proper  Seafon,  concern, 
ing  one  of  the  moft;  ferioiis  Occurrences  of  the  prefent  Age,  by  L. 
A.  FiofTaiaQa,  Vicasa,  J  795. 

"  errors." 


CI 

(I 

CI 
(C 


CHAP.  IV.  THE   FRENCH  REVOLUTION.  303 

*'  errors."  He  is  naturally  (being  a  Catholic)  very 
fevere  on  the  Proteftants,  (and  indeed  he  has  much 
reafon,)  and  by  this  has  drawn  on  himfeh"  many 
bitter  retorts.  He  has  however  defended  himfelf 
againfl:  ail  that  are  of  anv  confequence  to  his  good 
name  and  veracity,  in  a  manner  that  fully  convinces 
any  impartial  reader,  and  turns  to  the  confufion  of 
the  flanderers. 

Hoffmann  fays,  that    "  he  faw  fome  of  thofe  mani- 
'*  feflos ;  that  they  were  not  all  of  one  tenor,  fome 
"  being  addreffed  to  friends,  of  whofe  fupport  they 
*■•  were  already  alilired."     One  very  important  arti- 
cle of  their  contents  is  Rarnejl  exhortations  to  eflablijh 
in  every  quarter  fecret  Jchools  of  political  education^ 
and  Jchools  for  the  public  education  of  the  children  of 
the  people^  under  the  direction  of  well-principled  maf- 
ters  ;  and  offers  of  pecuniary  ajffiance  for  this  purpofe^ 
and  for  the  encouragemeiit  of  writers  in  favour  of  the 
Revolution^  and  for  indemnifying  the  patriotic  bookfel- 
lers  who  fiffer  by  their  endeavours  to  fupprefs  public 
cations  which  have  an  oppofite  tendency.     We  know 
very  weH  that  the  immenfe  revenue  of  the  Duke  of 
Orleans  was  fcattered  among  all   the  rabble  of  the 
Palais  Royal.     Can  we  doubt  of  its  being  employed 
in  this   manner?     Our  doubts  muff  van ifh,  when 
we  fee  that  not  long  after  this  was  publicly  faid   in 
the    National  AlTembly,   "  that  this  method  was  the 
mofl:   effedual  for  accompliihing  their  purpofe   of 
fetting  Europe  in  a  flame."     "  But  much  expence," 
fays  the  fpeaker,   "  will  attend  it,  and  much  has  al- 
"  ready  been  employed,  which   cannot  be  named 
"  becaufe  it   is   given   in  fetret."     The  Aflembly' 
had  given  the  Illumination  war-hoop — ''  Peace  with 
"  cottages^  but  war  with  palaces" — A  pouvoir  revolu- 
iionnaire  is  mentioned,  which  fuperfedes  all  narrow 
thoughts,  all  ties  of  morality.      Lequinio  publiflieg 
the  moil  deteftable  book  that  ever   ilTued  from   g 

printin 


304         THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION.     CHAP.  IV, 

printing  prefs,  Les  Prejuges  vaincus^  coniaining  all 
the  principles,  and  expreired  in  the  very  words  of 
IJlurainatifm. 

Holfmann  lays,  that  the  French  Ptopaganda  had 
many  emiifarics  in  Vienna,  and  many  friends 
whom  he  could  point  out,  Mirabeau  in  particU' 
lar  had  many  conne£lions  in  Vienna,  and  to  the 
certain  knowledge  of  Hoffmann,  carried  on  a 
great  correfpondence  in  cyphers.  The  progrefs  of 
Illumination  had  been  very  great  in  the  Auftrian 
States,  and  a  llatefman  gave  him  an  account  of 
their  proceedings,  ( qui  font  redrc/Jer  Its  cheveux ) 
which  makes  one's  hair  ftand  on  end.  "  I  no  ion- 
"  ger  wonder,"  fays  he,  "  that  the  ISJenejle  Arlei-- 
"  iiing  des  Spartacus  und  Philo  v/as  forbidden. 
*'  O  ye  almighty  Illnminati,  what  can  you  not 
"  accomplifn  by  your  ferpentlike  infmuation  and 
*'  cunning  i"  Your  leaders  fay,  *'  This  book  is 
**  dangerous,  becaufe  it  will  teach  wicked  men 
"  the  moit  refined  methods  of  rebellion,  -and  it 
*'  muft  never  get  into  the  hands  of  the  common 
*'  people.  They  have  faid  with  the  moft  impu- 
'*  dent  face  to  fome  Princes,  who  did  not  per- 
*'  ceive  the  deeper  laid  reafon  for  I'upprcffing  the 
**  bonk.  The  leaders  of  the  Illumlnati  are,  not 
"  without  reafon,  in  anxiety,  left  the"  inferior 
*«  clafTes  of  their  own  Society  (hould  make  juft 
**  repvifals  for  having  been  fo  balely  tricked,  by 
*'  keeping  them  back  and  in  profound  ignorance 
'•'  of  their  real  defi?ns  ;  and  for  vv^orkiny;  on 
*'  them  by  the  very  goodnefs  of  their  hearts,  to 
*'  their  final  ruin  ;  and  left  the  Free  Mafons, 
**  whom  they  have  alfo  abuied,  Ihould  think  of 
"  revenging  themfelves,  when  the  matchlcfs  vil^ 
*'  lainy  of  their  deceivers  has  been  fb  clearly  ex- 
*'  poled.  It  is  in  vain  for  them  to  taik  of  the  danger 
**  of  inftrufting  the  people  in  the  methods  of  fo- 
menting 


(C 


CHAP.   IV.  THE    FRENCH    REVOLUTION.  305 

**  menting  rebellion  by  this  book.  The  aims  are 
"  100  apparent,  and  even  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
*'•  Regenfburg,  where  the  ftrength  of  the  Illiimi- 
"  nati  lay,  every  pejfon  faid  aloud,  that  the  lllu- 
*'  minatii'm  difcovered  by  this  book  was  High 
"  Trealon,  and  the  moft  unheard  of  attempt  to 
*'  annihilate  every  religion  and  every  civil  go- 
"  vernment.'*  He  goes  on :  "In  lypo  I  was  as 
"  well  acquainted  with  the  fpiritof  the  Illumina- 
*'  tion-iy^lem  as  at  prefent,  but  only  not  fo  docu- 
*'  mented  by  their  conflitutional  afts,  as  it  is  now 
*'  by  the  Ntuefte  Arbeitiing  des  Spartacus  iind 
"  Philo,  My  Mafonic  conne£tions  were  formerly 
*'  extenfive,  and  my  publication  entitled  Eighteen 
'*  Paragraphs  Concerning  Free  Mafonry^  procured 
"  me  more  acquaintance  witli  Free  Mafons  of 
*'  the  greateft  worth,  and  of  Illimiinati  equally 
*'  upright,  perfons  of  refpectability  and  know- 
"  ledge,  who  had  difcovered  and  repented  the 
**  trick  and  inveigling  conduct  of  the  Order.  All 
'*  of  us  jointly  fwore  oppoution  to  the  Illuminati^ 
*'  and  my  friends  conlidered  me  as  a  proper  in- 
**  flrument  for  this  purpofe.  To  whet  my  zeal, 
'*  tliey  put  papers  into  my  hands  which  made  me 
**  fliudder,  and  raifed  my  diilike  to  the  highcll 
"  pitch.  I  received  from  them  lifts  of  the  mem- 
*'  bers,  and  among  them  faw  names  which  I  la- 
*'  mented  exceedingly.  Thus  llood  matters  in 
^*  1790,  when  the  French  Revolution  began  to 
*'  take  a  ferious  turn.  The  intelligent  faw  in  the 
♦'  open  fyltera  of  the  Jacobins  the  complete  hid- 
*'  den  fyitcm  of  the  llluminati.  We  knew  that 
this  fyftem  included  the  whole  world  in  its 
aims,  and  France  was  only  the  place  of  its  firil 
explofion.     The    Propaganda  works  in  every 


(( 

*'   corner  to  this  hour,  and  its  emifTaries  run  about 
**  in  all  the  four  quarters  of  the  world,  and  are  to 


(( 


be 


305  THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION.     CHA?.  iv. 

be  found  in  numbers  in  every  city  that  is  a  feat 
of  government." 

*'  He  farther  relates  how  they  in  Vienna  want- 
ed to  enliiV  him,  and,  as  this  failed,  how  they 
have  abufed  him  even  in  the  foreign  newl- 
papers. 

*'  1  have  pcifortal  knowledge  (continues  he) 
that  in  Germany  a  Iccond  Mirabeau,  Mauvil- 
lon,  had  propofed  in  detail  a  plan  of  revolution, 
entirely  and  precifely  fuited  to  the  prcfent  ftalc 
of  Germany.  This  he  circulated  among  feve- 
ral  Free  Mafon  Lodges,  among  all  the  Illumi' 
nated  Lodges  which  lUU  remained  in  Germany, 
and  through  the  hands  of  all  the  cmiflaries  of 
the  Propaganda,  who  had  been  already  dif- 
patched  to  the  frontiers  (vorpojlen )  of  every 
dillri£l  of  the  empire,  with  means  for  flirring 
up  the  people."  (N.  B.  In  1792,  Mauvilion, 
finding  abundant  fupport  and  encouragement  in 
the  appearance  of  things  round  him,  when  the 
French  arms  had  penetrated  every  where,  and 
their  invitations  to  revolt  had  met  with  fo  hearty 
a  reception  from  the  difcontentcd  in  every  flate, 
came  boldly  forward,  and,  in  the  Brunfvvick  Jour- 
nal for  March  1792,  declared  that  "  he  heartily 
"  rejoiced  in  the  French  Revolution,  wiflied  it  ail 
*'  fuccefs,  and  thought  himfelf  liable  to  no  re- 
proach when  he  declared  his  hopes  that  a  fimi- 
lar  Revolution  would  fpeedily  take  place  in 
Germany.") 
In  the  Hamburgh  Political  Journal,  Auguft,  Sep- 
tember, and  October  I790,  there  are  many  proofs 
of  the  machinations  of  emilTaries  from  the  Ma- 
fon Ledges  of  Paris  among  the  German  Free  Ma- 
fons — See  pages  836,  963,  1087,  &c.  It  appears 
that  a  club  has  taken  the  name  of  Propaganda' 
and  meets  once  a  week  at  Icaft,  in  the  form  of  a 

Mafon 


CHAP.  IV.     THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION,         3©^ 

Mafon  Lodge.  It  confiftsof  perlons  of  all  nations, 
and  is  under  the  diredlion  of  the  Grand  Mailer, 
the  Duke  of  Orleans.  De  Leu' re  is  one  of  the 
Wardens.  They  have  divided  Europe  into  colo- 
nies, to  which  they  give  revolutionary  names, 
fuch  as  the  Cap,  the  Pike,  the  Lantern,  Sec,  They 
have  minifters  in  thcfc  colonies.  (One  is  pointed 
out  in  Saxony,  by  marks  which  I  prefumc  are  well 
underftood.)  A  (ccret  prcfs  was  found  in  Saxe 
Gotha,  furnifhed  with  German  types,  which  print- 
ed a  feditious  work  called  the  Journal  of  Huma- 
nity, This  Journal  was  found  in  the  mornings 
lying  in  the  ilreets  and  highways.  The  hbufe  be- 
longed to  an  Illiiminatus  of  the  name  of  Duport, 
a  poor  fchoolmafter — he  was  aflbciated  with  an- 
other in  Strafburg,  who  was  alfo  an  Illuminatu^, — 
His  name  was  Meyer,  the  writer  of  the  Strafburg 
Newfpaper.  He  had  been  fonie  time  a  teacher  in 
Salzmann's  accademy,  who  we  fee  was  alfo  an  II- 
luminatus,  but  difpleafed  with  their  proceedings 
almoft  at  firft.  (Private  Corrcfpondence.) 

I  have  perfonal  knowledge  (continues  Pro- 
feffor  Hoffman)  that  in  1791,  during  the  tem- 
porary dearth  at  Vienna,  fcveral  of  thcfe  emi^- 
faries  were  bufy  in  corrupting  the  minds  of  the 
poor,  by  telling  them  that  in  like  manner  the 
court  had  produced  a  famine  in  Paris  in  1789. 


« 

*'  I  detected  fome  of  them,  and  expofed  them  in 
"  my  "Patriotic  Remarks  on  the  Prefent  Dearth^ 
"  and  had  the  fatisfaftion  of  ftx^ing  my  cndea- 
"  vours  of  confiderable  effeiil:." 

Surely  thefe  fatfts  (how  that  the  Anarchifls  of 
France  knev/  of  the  German  Illuminati,  and  con- 
fided in  their  fupport.  They  aUo  knew  to  what 
particular  Lodges  they  could  addrefs  themfclvcs 
with  fafety  and  confidence. — But  what  ^eed  is 
there  of  more  argument,  when  we  know  the  zeal 

of 


3o8,  -THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION.  CHAP<  1V« 

of  the  Illuniinati,  and  the  unhoped  for  opportu- 
nity that  the  Revokition  had  given  them  of  a£l- 
ing  with  immediate  elfedl;  in  carrying  on  their 
great  and  darhng  work  ?  Can  we  doubt  that  they 
would  eagerly  put  their  hand  to  the  Plough  ?  And, 
to  complete  the  proof,  do  we  not  know  from  the 
lifts  found  in  the  fecret  correfpondence  of  the  Or- 
der, that  they  already  had  Lodges  in  France,  and 
that  in  1790  and  1791  many  Illuminated  Lodges 
in  Germany,  viz.  IVIcntz,  Worms,  Spire,  Frank- 
fort, a6tually  interfered,  and  produced  great  ef- 
fects. In  Switzerland  too  they  were  no  Icis  active. 
They  had  Lodges  at  Geneva  and  at  Bern.  At 
Bern  two  jacobins  were  fentenced  to  feveral  years 
imprifonment,  and  among  their  papers  were  found 
their  patents  of  Illumination.  I  alio  fee  the  fate  of 
Geneva  afcribed  to  the  operations  of  Illuminati 
refiding  there,  by  feveral  writers — particularly 
by  Girtanner,  and  by  the  Gottingen  editor  of  the 
Revolution  Almanac. 

1  conclude  this  article  with  an  extraft  or  two 
from  the  proceedings  of  the  National  Aflembly 
and  Convention,  which  make  it  evident  that  their 
principles  and  their  praftice  are  precifely  thofe  of 
the  Illuminati,  on  a  great  fcale. 

When  the  affumption  of  the  Duchy  of  Savoy  as 
an  84th  Department  was  debated,  Danton  faid  to 
the  Convention. 

*'  In  the  moment  that  we  fend  freedom  to  a 
*'  nation  on  our  /rontier,  we  muft  fay  to  them  you 
rnuft  have  no  more  Kings — for  if  we  are  fur- 
rounded  by  tyrants,  their  coalition  puts  our 
*'  own  freedom  in  danger. — When  the  French 
"  nation  fent  us  hither,  it  created  a  great  com- 
"  mittee  for  the  general  infurreclion  of  the  peo- 
"  pie." 

On 


ii 


CJrAP,   iv.  THE   FRFNCH  INVOLUTION.  gog 

On  the  ipth  of  November  1792  it  was  de- 
creed, '*  That  the  Convention,  in  the  name  of 
"  the  French  nation,  tenders  help  and  fraternitj'^ 
"  to  all  people  who  would  recover  their  liberty." 

On  the  21O:  of  November,  the  Prcfident  of  the 
Convention  faid  to  the  pretended  deputies  of  the 
Duchy  of  Savoy,  "  Reprefentatives  of  an  inde- 
*'  pendent  people,  important  to  mankind  was  the 
*'  day  when  the  National  Convention  of  France 
*'  pronounced  its  fentcnce,  Royal  dignity  is  abo- 
*'   li/lied. From  that  day  many  nations  will,  in 

future,    recicon   the  era  of  their  political  exift- 

ence. — From    the   beginning  of  civil  efcablilh- 

ments  Kings  have  been  in  oppofition  to  their 
"  nations — but  now  they  rife  up  to  annihilate 
"  Kings. — Keafon,  when   ihe   darts  her  rays  into 

*'  every  corner,   lays  open   eternal  truths She 

*'  alone  enables  us  to  pafs  fentence  on  defpots,  hi- 
"  therto  the  fcare-crow  of  other  nations." 

But  the  moil  difhin^t  exhibition  of  principle  is 
to  be  fcen  in  a  report  from  the  diplomatic  com- 
mittee, who  were  commillioned  to  deliberate  on 
the  conduft  which  France  was  to  hold  with  other 
nations.  On  this  report  w^^s  founded  the  decree  of 
the  15th  of  December  1793.  The  lleporter  ad- 
dreffes  the  Convention  as  follows: 

*'  The  Committees  of  Finance  and  War  aflc  in 
"  the  beginning — What  is  the  objedl  of  the  war 
"  which  we  have  taken  in  hand?  Without  all 
*'  doubt   the   objeft    is  the   annihilation   OF 

"    ALL    PRIVILEGES,    WAR  WITH    THE   PALACES, 

*'  PEACE  WITH  THE  COTTAGES.  Thefe  are  the 
principles  on  which  your  declaration  of  ivar  is 
founded.  AH  tyranny,  all  privilege,  mufl  be 
treated  as  an  enemy  in  the  countries  where  wc 
fet  our  foot.  This  is  the  genuine  refult  of  our 
principles. — But  it  is  not  v/ith  Kings  alone  that 


It. 


2  O 


<( 


Vv?C 


510  THE    FRENCH    REVOLUTION,  CHAP.  1V« 

"  we  are  to  wage  war — were  thefe  our  fole  enc^ 
"  mies,  we  fliould  only  have  to  bring  down  ten 
*'  or  twelve  heads.  We  have  to  fight  with  all 
their  accomplices,  with  the  privileged  orders, 
v.'ho  devour  and  have  oppreffed  the  people  dur- 
ing many  centuries. 
"  We  mull  therefore  declare  ourfclves  for  a 
"  revolutionary  power  in  all  the  countries  into 
*'  which  we  enter — (Loud  applaufes  from  the  Af- 
fembly) — Nor  need  we  put  on  the  cloak  of  hu- 
manity— we  difdain  fuch  little  arts. — We  mull 
"  clothe  ourfclves  with  all  the  brilliancy  of  rea- 
*'  fon,  and  all  the  force  of  the  nation.    We  need 

"  not    mafl<:   our  principles the  defpots  know 

*'  them  already.  The  firft  thing  we  muil  do  is  to 
"  ring  the  alarum  bell,  for  iniurrection   and   up- 

"  roar. We  muft,   in  a  folemn  manner,  let  the 

**  people  fee  the  banifhment  of  their  tyrants  and 
*'  privileged  cafls — otherwife,  the  people,  ac- 
"  cuftomed  to  their  fetters,  will  not  be  able  to 
"  break  their  bonds. — It  will  effect  nothing,  mere- 
"  ly  to  excite  a  rifmg  of  the  people — this  would 
^'  only  be  giving  them  words  inftead  of  (landing 
"  by  them. 

"  And  fince,  in  this  manner,  we  ourfelves  are 
the  Revolutionary  Adminillration,  all  that  is 
againft  the  rights  of  the  people  mufl  be  ovcr- 
*'  thrown  at  our  entry — We  muft  difplay  our  prin- 
*'  ciplcs  by  actually  drftroying  all  tyranny  ;  and 
*'  our  generals  after  having  chafed  away  the  ty- 
'■'■  rants  and  their  fatellites,  muft  proclaim  to  the 
"  people  that  they  have  brought  them  happinels; 
''  and  then,  on  the  fpot,  they  muft  fupprefs  tithes, 
**  feudal  rights,  and  every  fpecies  of  fervitude," 

"  But  we  fliall  have  clone  nothing  if  we  ftop 
*'  here.  Ariftocracy  ftill  domineers — we  muft 
**  therefore  fupprefs  all  authorities  exifting  in  the 

^'  hands 


CI 


III 


(( 
(( 


GriAl*.  iv.  THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION;  ^li 

"  hands  of  the  upper  claires. — When  the  Pievo- 
*^  lutionary  Authority  appears,  there  mull  nothing 
*'  of  the  old  eflal^Iifliment  remain. — A  popular 
fyftem  mufl  be  introduced — every  office  mufl 
be  occupied  by  new  funftionaries- — and  the 
Sans  Culiottes  muft  every  where  have  a  fliare 
*'  in  the  AdminiRration. 

'*  Still  nothing  is  done,  till  we  declare  aloud 
the  precijion  of  our  principles  to  fuch  as  want 
only  half  freedom. — We  muft  fay  to  them — If 
"  you  think  of  compromifing  with  the  privileged 
**  cafts,  we  cannot  fulfer  fuch  dealing  with  ty- 
"  rants — They  are  our  enemies,  and  we  mull:  treat 
**  them  as  enemies,  becaufe  they  are  neither  for 
*'  Liberty  nor  Equality. ^ — Show  yourfelves  dif- 
"  poled  to  receive  a  free  conftitution — and  the 
*'  Convention  will  not  only  fiand  by  you,  but  will 
*'  give  you  permanent  fupport;  we  will  defend 
you  againll  the  vengeance  of  your  tyrants — •- 
againft  their  attacks,  and  againll  their  return* 
—Therefore  aboliih  from  among  you  the  No- 
bles, ^nd  every  ecclefiaftical  and  military  in- 
"  corporation.  They  are  incompatable  with  Equa- 
"  iity. — Henceforward  you  are  citizens,  all  equal 
in  rights — equally  called  upon  to  rule,  to  de- 
fend, and  to  ferve  your  country. — The  agents 
**  of  the  French  Px.epublic  will  inftruft  and  affift 
"  you  in  forming  a  free  conftitution,  and  affure 
"  you  of  happinefs  and  fraternity." 

This  Report  was  loudly  applauded,  and  a  de- 
cree formed  in  precife  conformity  to  its  princi- 
ples. Both  were  ordered  to  be  tranftated  into 
ail  languages,  and  copies  to  be  furniihed  to  their 
generals,  with  orders  to  have  them  carefully  dif- 
perfed  in  the  countries  which  they  invaded. 

And,  in  completion  of  thefe  decrees,  their  ar- 
mies found  it  eafy  to  collect  as  many  difcontented 

or 


512  THE  fKENCH  Devolution'.         chap.  Ir^ 

or  worthlefs  perlbns  in  any  country  as  fufficed  for 
fetting  up  a  tree  of  liberty.  This  they  held  as  a 
fiifucient  call  for  their  interference. — Sometimes 
they  performed  this  ceremony  themfelves — a  re- 
prefentation  was  eafily  made  up  in  the  fame  way 
— and  then,  under  the  name  of  a  free  conftitu- 
tion,  the  nation  was  forced  to  acquiefce  in  a  form 
dictated  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet,  in  which 
they  had  not  the  ihiallefi;  liberty  to  choofc — and 
ihey  were  phmdered  of  all  they  had,  by  way  of 
compcr.fatiiig  to  France  for  the  trouble  {lie  had 
taken.-^-And  this  they  call  Liberty. — It  needs  no 
conimeni:.-— 

Thus  have  I  attempted  to  prove  that  the  pre- 
fent  awful  fituation  of  Europe,  and  the  general 
fermentation  of  tlie  public  mind  in  all  nations, 
have  not  been  altogether  the  natural  operations  of 
diicontent,  oppreilion,  and  moral  corruption,  al- 
though thefe  have  been  great,  and  have  operated 
with  fatal  energy;  but  that  tliis  political  fever  has 
been  carefully  and  fyflematically  heightened  by 
bodies  of  men,  who  profelfed  to  be  the  phyficians 
of  the  State,  and,  while  their  open  practice  em- 
ployed cooling  medicines,  and  a  treatment  which 
all  approved,  adminijiered  in  fecret  the  moll:  in- 
flammatory poifons,  which  they  made  up  fo  as  to 
flatter  the  difeafed  fancy  of  the  patient.  Al- 
though this  was  not  a  plan  begun,  carried  on,  and 
completed  by  the  lame  pcrlons,  it  was  undoubt- 
edly an  uniform  and  confident  fchemc,  proceeding 
on  the  fame  unvaried  principle,  and  France  un- 
doubtedly now  fmarts  under  all  the  woes  of  Ger- 
man Illumination. 

I  beg  leave  to  fugged  a  few  thoughts,  Vv-'hich 
may  enable  us  to  draw  fome  advantage  from  this 
ftiocking  mafs  of  information. 

General 


CiJAP.  iv.  THE    FRENCH    REVOLUTIOM.  gl^ 


Gtnffal  Rgjicdiniis, 

i.  I  may  obferve,  In  ih e  firji  place,  and  I  beg  it 
ITiay  be  particularly  attended  to,  that  in  alJ  thofe  vil- 
lainous machinations  agninll  the  peace  of  the  vvorld^* 
the  attack  has  been  firil  made  on  the  principles  of 
Morality  and  Religion.  The  confpiratcrs  faw  that: 
till  thefe  are  extirpated,  ihey  have  no  chance  of  fuc- 
cefs  ;  and  their  manner  of  proceeding  (lievvs  th:it 
they  conhder  Reli^gion  and  Morality  as  infeparabiy 
conneded  together.   We  learn  much  from  this — Fas 

O 

ejl  et  ab  hofie  doceri. — They  endeavour  to  dellroy 
our  religious  fentiments,  by  firfl  corrupting  cur  mo- 
rals. They  try  to  inflame  our  palfions,  tLat  when 
the  demands  from  this  quarter  become  urgent,  the 
reflraintsof  Religion  may  immediately  come  in  light, 
and  ffand  in  the  way.  They  are  careful,  on  tins  oc- 
cafion,  to  give  fuch  a  view  of  thofe  rellvaints,  that 
the  real  origin  of  them  does  not  appear. — We  are 
made  to  believe  that  they  have  been  altogether  the 
contrivance  of  Priefls  and  defpots,  in  ordsr  to  get 
the  command  of  us.  They  take  care  to  lupport  thefe 
aflertions  by  facls,  which,  to  cur  great  ihame,  and 
greater  misfortune,  are  but  too  numerous.  Having 
now  the  pafTions  on  their  fide,  they  find  no  ditliculiy 
in  perfuading  the  voluptuary,  or  the  dlfcontented, 
that  tyranny,  adually  exerted,  or  refolved  on  in  fu- 
ture, is  the  fole  origin  of  religious  refiraint.  He 
feeks  no  further  argument,  and  gives  himfelf  no 
trouble  to  find  any.  Had  he  examine.!  the  matter 
with  any  care,  he  would  find  himfelf  juO.  brought 
back  to  thofe  very  feelings  of  moral  excellence  and 
moral  depravity  that  he  wifhes  to  get  rid  of  altoge- 
ther; and  thefe  would  tell  him  that  pure  Religion 

(Iocs 


3I4  THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION.  CHAP.  iVt 

does  not  lay  a  fingle  reflraint  on  us  that  a  Doble  na-= 
ture  would  not  have  l;^id  on  itfelf — nor  enjoins  k 
fingle  duty  which  an  ingenuoi'?  ?ind  warm  heart 
would  not  be  afliamed  to  find  itieif  (^'cficient  in.  He 
would  then  Tee  that  all  the  fandions  of  Religion  are 
fitted  to  his  high  rank  in  the  fcalcof  exiflence^  And 
the  more  he  contemplates  his  future  profpeds,  the 
^ore  they  brighten  upon  hisview,  the  more  attainable 
they  appear,  and  the  more  he  is  able  to  know  what 
they  may  probably  be.  Having  attained  this  happy 
flate  of  mind,  (an  attainment  in  the  power  of  any 
kind  heart  that  is  in  earnefl:  in  the  enquiry)  he  will 
think  that  no  punifhment  is  too  great  for  the  un- 
thankful and  groveling  foul  which  can  forego  fuch 
hopes,  and  rejed  thefe  noble  proffers,  for  the  com- 
paratively frivolous  and  tranfitory  gratifications  of 
life.  He  is  not  frightened  into  worthy  and  virtuous 
conducfl  by  fears  of  fuch  merited  punifhment ;  but^ 
if  not  enticed  into  it  by  his  high  expeif^ations,  he  is^ 
at  ieafl,  retained  in  the  paths  of  virtue  by  a  kind  of 
manly  {hame. 

But  all  this  is  overlooked,  or  is  kept  out  of  fight^ 
in  the  inftrudions  of  lUuminatifm.  In  thefe  the  eye 
mufl  be  kept  always  direded  to  the  Defpot.  This  is 
the  bugbear,  and   every  thing  is   made   to  conned 

with  prefent  or  future  tyranny  and   oppreflion 

Therefore  Religion  is  held  out  as  a  combination  of 
terrors — the  invention  of  the  fiate-tools,  the  priefls. 
But  it  is  not  eafy  to  ftifle  the  fuggeflions  of  Nature — 
therefore  no  pains  are  fpared  to  keep  them  down^ 
by  encreafing  the  uncertainty  and  doubts  which  arife 
in  the  courfe  of  all  fpeculations  on  fuch  fiibjeds. 
Such  difficulties  occur  in  all  fcientific  difcuflions. — 
Here  they  mull  be  numerous  and  embarrafiing — 
for  in  this  enquiry  we  come  near  the  firfl  principles 
of  things,  and  the  firlt  principles  of  human  know- 
ledge.    The    geometer  does  not   wonder  at    mif- 

takcs 


CHAP.   IV,  THE    FRENCH    REVOLUTION.  3I5 

takes  even  in  his  fcience,  the  moft  fimple  of  all 

others. Nor   does  the  mechanic  or   the  chemift 

reject  all  his  fcience,  becaufe  he  cannot  attain 
clear  conceptions  of  fome  of  the  natural  relations 
which  operate  in  the  phenomena  under  his  confide- 
ration.— Nor  do  any  of  thefe  ftudents  of  nature 
brand  with  the  name  of  fool,  or  knave,  or  bigot, 
another  perfon  who  has  drawn  a  different  conclu- 

fion  from   the  phenomenon. In  one  point  they 

all  agree — they  find  themfelves  poUefled  of  faculties 
which  enable  them  to  fpeculate,  and  to  difjover  ; 
and  they  find,  that  the  operation  of  thofe  faculties  is 
quite  unlike  the  things  which  they  contemplate  by 
their  means — and  they  feel  a  fatisfa^ion  in  the  pof- 

Jejjion  of  them^  and  in  this  diftincftion. But  this 

feems  a  misfortune  to  our  Illuminators.  I  have 
long  been  ilruck  with  this.  If  by  deep  meditation 
I  have  folved  a  problem  which  has  baffled  the  en- 
deavours of  others,  I  fliould  hardly  thank  the  perfon 
who  convinced  me  that  my  fuccefs  was  entirely  ow- 
ing to  the  particular  flate  of  my  health,  by  which 
my  brain  was  kept  free  from  many  irritations  to  which 
other  perfons  are  expofed.  Yet  this  is  the  condud 
of  the  Illuminated — They  are  abundantly  felf-con- 
ceited  ;  and  yet  they  continually  endeavour  to  de- 
flroy  all  grounds  of  felf-eflimation. — They  rejoice 
in  every  difcovery  that  is  reported  to  them  of  fome 
refemblance,  unnoticed  before,  between  mankind 
and  the  inferior  creation,  and  would  be  happy  to 
find  that  the  refemblance  is  complete.  It  is  very 
true,  Mr.  Pope's  "  Poor  Indian,  with  untutor'd 
*'  mind,"  had  no  objedion  to  his  dog's  going  to 
lieaven  with  him  : 


"  And  thinks,  admitted  to  that  equal  fl<y, 
^*  His  faithful  dog  (hall  bear  him  company." 


Thij 


glfi,  .  TUE    FRENCH    REVOLUTION.  CHAP.   iv. 

lliis  is  wot  an  abjed,  but  it  is  a  nioclefi  fentimrnt. 
But  our  high-minded  philofophers,  who,  with  Bea- 
trice in  the  play,  *•'  cannot  brook  obedience  to  a 
^^  wayu-ard  piecj  of  mail,"  if"  it  be  in  the  iliape  ot" 
a  Prince,  have  far  other  notions  of  the  matter.  In- 
deed they  are  not  yet  agreed  about  it.  Mr.  de  la 
Meiheiie  hopes,  that  before  the  enlightened  Repub* 
liC  of  France  has  got  into  its  teens,  he  (hall  be  able 
to  teli  his  fellow -citizens,  in  his  Journal  de  Pbyjique^ 
that  particular  form  of  cryflallization  which  men  have 
been  accuilemed  to  call  God.— Dr.  Prieflley  again 
deduces  all  intelligence  from  elaflic  undulations, 
and  will  p  pbably  think,  that  his  own  great  difcove- 
ries  have  been  the  quiverings  of  fome  fiery  marfli 
miafma.  While  Pope's  poor  Indian  hopes  to  take 
his  dog  to  heaven  with  him,  thefe  Illuminators  hope 
to  die  like  dogs,  and  that  both  foul  and  body  {hall 
be  as  if  they  never  had  been. 

Is  not  this  a  melancholy  refult  of  all  our  Illumi- 
jiation?  It  is  of  a  piece  with  the  termination  of  the 
ideal  Philofophy,  viz.  prokfl'ed  and  total  ignorance. 
Should  not  this  make  u5  flart  back  and  hefitate,  before 
v.'e  pout  like  wayward  children  at  the  hardfihips  of 
civil  fubordination,  and  before  vv^e  make  a  facrifice 
to  our  ill  humour  of  all  that  we  value  ourfelves  for  ? 
Does  it  n(;t  carry  ridicule  and  ablurdity  in  its  fore- 
head ?-— Such  Jiffertions  of  perfonal  worth  and  dig- 
Tiity,  (always  excepting  Princes  and  Priefis,)  and 
fuch  abjed  acknowledgments  of  u'orthleirnefs.— 
Does  not  this,  of  itfelf,  fhow  that  there  is  fome  ra- 
dical fault  in  the  whole  ?  It  has  all  arifen  from 
what  they  have  called  Il'mnination^  and  this  turns  out 
to  be  worfe  than  darknefs — But  we  alfo  knov/  that  it 
has  all  arifeii  f:om  felf-conceited  difcontent,  and 
that  it  has  been  brought  to  its  prefent  ftate  by  the 
rage  of  Ipecu'.aiion.  We  may  venture  to  put  the 
quellion  to  any  man's  confcience---whclher  d  Icon' 

tent 


iTHAP.  iv.         THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION.  317 

tent  did  not  precede  his  doubts  about  his  own  nature 
and  whether  he  has  not  encouraged  the  train  of  argu- 
ment that  tended  to  degrade  him  ?  ''  Thy  wifh 
*'  was  father,  Harry,  to  that  thought." — Should  not 
this  make  us  difiruft,  at  leaft,  the  operations  of  this 
faculty  of  our  mind,  and  try  to  moderate  and  check 
this  darling  propenfity. — It  feems  a  misfortune  of 
the  age — for  we  fee  that  it  is  a  natural  fource  of  dif- 
lurbance  and  revolution. 

But  here  it  will  be  immediately  faid,  "  What, 
*'  muft  we  give  over  thinking — be  no  longer  ration- 
"  ai  creatures,  and  believe  every  lie  that  is  told  us?" 
By  no  means.— Let  us  be  really  rational  creatures — 
and,  taught  by  experience,  let  us,  in  all  our  fpecu- 
lations  on  fubjeds  which  engage  the  paflions,  guard 
ourfeives  with  the  moft  anxious  care  againft  the  rifle 
of  having  our  judgments  warped  by  our  delires.— 
There  is  no  propenfity  of  our  nature  of  which  the 
proper  and  modell:  indulgence  is  not  beneficial  x.o 
man,  and  which  is  not  hurtful,  when  this  indulgence 
is  carried  too  far. — And  if  we  candidly  perule  the 
page  of  hiflory,  we  fliall  be  convinced  that  the  abufe 
is  great  in  proportion  as  the  fubjed  is  important. 
What  has  been  fo  ruinoufly  perverted  as  the  reli- 
gious principle  ? — What  horrid  fuperftition  has  it 
not  produced?  The  Reader  will  not,  I  hope,  take 
it  amifs  that  I  prefume  to  dired  his  attention  to  fome 
maxims  which  ought  to  condud  a  prudent  man  in 
his  indulgence  of  a  fpeculative  difpohtion,  and  ap- 
ply them  to  the  cafe  in  hand. 

Whoever  will  for  a  while  call  off  his  attention 
from  the  common  affairs  of  life,  the  Cur^e  hominum^ 
€t  rerum  pondus  inane ^  and  will  but  refled  a  little  on 
that  wonderful  principle  within  him,  which  carries 
him  over  the  whole  univerfe,  and  fhows  him  its  va- 
rious relations — Whoever  alfo  remarks  how  very 
fmall  a  proportion  his  own  individual  exiftence  bears 

2R  t# 


3l3      THE  FUENCH  REVOLUTION.    CHAP,  iv, 

to  this  immeafurable  fcene,  cannot  but  feel  an  inex- 
prefiible  pleafure  in  the  conterDplation  of  his  own 
powers — Hemurt  rife  in  his  own  elliination,  and  be 
difpofcd  to  cherifli  with  fondnefs  this  principle  which 
fo  eminently  raifes  him  above  all  around  him.  Of 
all  the  fources  of  human  vanity  this  isfurely  the 
moft  manly,  the  mofi:  excufable,  and  the  mofl  likely 
to  be  extravagantly  indulged. — We  may  be  certain 
that  it  will  be  fo  indulged,  and  that  men  will  fre- 
quently fpecula;e  for  the  lake  of  fpeculation  alone, 
and  that  they  will  have  l&o  much  confidence  in  the 
relults  of  this  favourite  occupation.— As  there  ha\e 
been  ages  of  indolent  and  abjed  credulity  and  iuper- 
iiition,  it  is  next  to  certain  that  there  are  alio  limes 
of  wild  and  extravagant  fpeculation — and  when  we 
fee- it  becoming  a  fort  of  general  paifion,  we  may  be 
certain  that  this  is  a  cafe  in  point. 

This  can  hardly  be  denied  to  be  the  character 
of  the  prefent'  day.  It  is  not  denied.  On  the  con-, 
trary  it  is  gloried  in  as  the  preiogative  of  the  eigh- 
teenth century.  All  the  fpeculations  of  antiquity  are 
confidcred  as  glimmerings  (with  the  exceptions  of  a 
few  brighter  flafhes)  when  compared  with  our  pre- 
fent meridian  fplendor.  We  (liould  therefore  liften 
with  caution  to  the  inferences  from  this  boailed  Il- 
lumination. Alfo  when  we  reflect  on  what  paiies  in 
our  own  minds,  and  on  what  we  obieive  in  the 
world,  of  the  mighty  influence  of  our  deiires  and 
pafiions  on  our  judgments,  we  (liould  CcsretulJy  no- 
lice  whether  any  fuch  warping  of  the  belief  is  pro- 
bable in  the  prefent  cafe.  That  it  is  fo  is  ainiolt  cer- 
tain—for the  general  and  immediate  eiied  of  this 
Illumination  is  to  leffen  or  remove  manv  reftraints 
which  the  fandlions  of  religion  lay  on  the  indul- 
gence of  very  lirong  paffions,  and  to  diminifh  our 
regard  for  a  certain  purity  or  correclncfs  of  man- 
ners, which  religion  recommends  as  tke  only  con- 
duel 


«HAf.  iv.      THE  FREKCH   REVOLUTION.  319 

daft  fuited  to  our  noble  natures,  and  as  abfolutely 
neceffary  for  attahjing  that  perfection  and  happi- 

nefs  of  which  we  are  capably, For  furely  if  we 

take  away  religion,  it  wiil  be  wifdom  "  to  eat  and 
''  to  drink,  fince  to-niorrow  we  die."  If,  more- 
over, we  fee  this  Illumination  extolled  above  all 
fcience,  as  friendly  to  virtue,  as  improving  the 
heart,  and  as  producing  a  juit  morality,  which 
will  lead  tohappinefs  both  for  ourfclvesand  otherSj 
but  perceive  at  the  fame  time  that  thcfe  affertions 
are  made  at  the  expcnce  of  principles,  which  our 
natural  feelings  force  us  to  venerate  as  fupremc 
and  paramount  to  all  others,  we  may  then  be  cer- 
tain that  our  informer  is  trying  to  miflead  and  de- 
ceive  us. For   all  virtue  and  goodnefs   both  of 

heart  and  conduft,  is  in  perfect  harmony,  and 
%here  is  no  jarring  or  inconfifbency,  But  we  mud 
pafs  this  fentence  on  the  dodlrincs  of  this  Illumi- 
nation. For  it  is  a  melancholy  truth  that  ihey 
have  been  preached  and  recommended,  for  the 
moft  part,  by  clergymen,  parilh-miniflers,  who, 
in  the  prefence  of  invoked  Deity,  and  in  the  face 
of  the  world,  have  fet  their  folemn  feal  to  a  fyf- 
tem  of  doctrines  dirc£lly  oppofite  to  thofe  recom- 
mended in  their  writings  5  which  doctrines  they 
foleranly  profefs  to  believe,  and  folemnly  fsvear  to 
inculcate.  Surely  the  informations  and  inftruc- 
tionsof  fuch  men  (liould  be  rcjedted.  Where  fhali 
wc  find  their  real  opinions  ?  In  their  folemn  oaths  ? 
• — 'or  in  thcfe  infidel  diflertations? — In  either  cafe, 
they  are  deceivers,  whether  milled  by  vanity  or 
by  the  mean  dcfire  of  church-emoluments  ;  or 
they  are  proftitutes,  courting  the  fociety  of  the 
Atealthy  and  fenfual.  Honefty,  like  juftice,  admits 
of  no  degrees.  A  man  is  honed,  or  he  is  a  knave, 
and  who  would  truft  a  knave  ?  But  fuch  men  are 
unfuitable  inftrudcrs  for  another  reafon — they  are 

unwife ; 


^20       THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION.   CHAP.  iV* 

unwifc  ^  for,  whatever  they  may  think,  they  are 
Dot  rclpeftcd  as  men  of  worth,  but  are  inwardly 
defpifed  as  parafites,  by  the  rich,  who  admit  them 
into  their  company,  and  treat  them  with  civility, 
for  their  own  realons.  We  take  inftrudtions  not 
merely  from  the  knowing,  the  learned,  but  from 
the  wife — not  therefore  from  men  who  give  fuch 
evidences  of  wcaknefs. 

Such  would  be  the  condu£l  of  a  prudent  man, 
who  lillens  to  the  inllrudtions  of  another  with  the 
ferious  intention  of  profiting  by  them.  In  the  pre- 
fcnt  cafe  he  fees  plain  proofs  of  degraded  felf  ef- 
timation,  of  dillionefty,  and  of  mean  motives.  Buc 
the  prudent  man  will  go  further — he  will  remark 
that  diffolute  manners,  and  actions  which  are  ine- 
vitably fubverfive  of  the  peace  and  order,  nay, 
of  the  very  exiftence  of  fociety,  arc  the  natural 
and  neccffary  confequences  of  irreligion.  Should 
any  doubt  of  this  remain  in  his  mind  ;  fhould  he 
fbmctimes  think  of  an  Epi£l:etus,  or  one  or  two  in- 
dividuals of  antiquity,  who  were  eminently  vir- 
tuous, without  the  influence  of  religious  fan£tions, 
he  fhould  recollect,  that  the  Stoics  were  animated 
by  the  thought,  that  while  the  wife  man  was  play- 
ing the  game  of  life,  the  gods  were  looking  on,  and 
pleafed  wnth  his  fkill.  Let  him  read  the  beautiful 
account  given  by  Dr.  Smith  of  the  rife  of  the 
Stoic  phiiofophy,  and  he  will  fee  that  it  was  an 
artificial  but  noble  attempt  of  a  few  exalted  minds, 
enthufiafts  in  virtue,  aiming  to  Reel  their  fouls 
againft  the  dreadful  but  unavoidable  misfortunes 
to  which  they  were  continually  expofed  by  the 
daily  recurring  revolutions  in  the  turbulent  demo- 
cracies of  ancient  Greece.  There,  a  philofopher 
was  this  day  a  magiflrate,  and  the  next  day  a  cap- 
tive and  a  (lave.  He  would  fee  that  this  fair  pic- 
lure  of  mental  happinefs  and  independence  was 

fitted 


(SriAP.  iv.     THE  FRENCH  B  EVOLUTION*  ^St 

fitted  for  the  contemplation  of  only  a  few  choice 
fpirits,  but  had  no  influence  on  the  bulk  of  man- 
kind. He  mud  admire  the  noble  chara(2:ers  who 
were  animated  by  this  manly  enthufiafm,  and 
who  have  really  exhibited  fome  wonderful  pic- 
tures of  virtuous  herolfni ;  but  he  will  regret,  that 
the  influence  of  thefe  manly,  thefe  natural  prin- 
ciples, was  not  more  extenfive^  He  will  fayto 
himfelf,  "  How  will  a  whole  nation  a6t  when  re- 
"  hgious  fandtions  are  removed,  and  men  are  ac- 
*'  tuated  by  reafon  alone  ?" — He  is  not  without 
inftruftion  on  this  important  fubjeft.  France  has 
given  an  awful  leffon  to  furrounding  nations,  by 
fliewing  them  what  is  the  natural  effe£l  of  ftiaking 
off  the  religious  principle,  and  the  veneration 
for  that  pure  morality  which  characterifcs  Chrif' 
ftianity.  By  a  decree  of  the  Convention,  (June 
6,  1794)  it  is  declared,  that  there  is  nothing 
criminal  in  the  promifcuous  commerce  of  the 
fexes,  and  therefore  nothing  that  derogates  from 
the  female  chara£ler,  when  woman  forgets  that 
(he  is  the   depofitary  of  all  domeftic    fatisfadtion 

•^ that   her  honour  is  the  facred  bond  of  fo- 

cial    life that    on  her    modefly  and    delicacy 

depend  all  the  refped  and  confidence  that  will 
make  a  man  attach  himfelf  to  her  fociety,  free 
her  from  labour,  fliare  with  her  the  fruits  of  all 
his  own  exertions,  and  work  with  willingnefs  and  de- 
light, that  file  may  appear  on  all  occafions  his  equal, 
and  the  ornament  of  all  his  acquifitions.  In  the  ve- 
ry argument  which  this  felec^ed  body  of  fenators  has 
given  for  the  propriety  of  this  decree,  it  hns  degraded 
woman  below  all  eftimation.  "  It  is  to  prevent  her 
*'  from  murdering  the  fruit  of  unlawful  love,  by  re- 
"  moving  her  Ihame,  and  by  relieving  her  from  the 
*'  fear  of  want."  The  fenators  fay,  '' the  Republic 
•'  wants  citizens,  and  therefore   m\ii\  not  only  re- 

"  move 


322  TriE  FRSNCH   REVOLl/TiOie.  CHAP,  iv, 

**  move  this  temj:t.ition  of  (hame,  b;it  mnfi:  take  care 
**■  of  the  iDOlher  while  ihe  nurfes  the  child.  It  is 
*•■  the  picpertv  of  the  niUion,  and  muli  not  be  lo(h" 
The  worn  m  all  the  while  is  conhdered  only  as  the 
(he-animal,  the  breeder  of  Sans  Culottes.  This  is 
the  Juj}  morality  of  Illumination.  It  is  really  amuf- 
ing  (for  things  revolting  to  nature  now  amule)  to 
obferve  with  what  fidelity  the  principles  of  the  lllu- 
minati  have  exprelied  the  fentiments  which  take  pof- 
felTion  of  a  people  who  have  {haken  ofl'the  fandions 
of  Religion  and  morality.  The  following  is  part  of 
the  addrefs  to  Pfycharion  and  the  company  mention- 
ed in  page  257  :  ''  Once  more,  Pfycharion,  I  in- 
*■*  dulge  you  with  a  look  behind  you  to  the  flowery 
"■  days  of  childhood.  Now  look  forwards,  young 
'■''  li.-'oman !  the  holy  circle  of  the  marriageable, 
*•'  (i/hinniaren^  welcome  yon.  Young  men,  honour 
''  the  young  woman,  the  future  breeder  {^gebaere- 
*'  rin)  !"  I'hen,  to  nil. — "  Rejoice  in  the  dawn  of 
"  Illumination  and  of  Freedom.  Nature  at  lall  en- 
joys her  facred  never-fading  rights.  Long  was 
her  voice  kept  down  by  civil  fubordination  ■:  but 
**■  the  days  of  your  majority  now  draw  nigh,  and  you 
''  will  no  longer,  under  the  authority  of  guardians, 
"  account  it  a  reproach  to  conhder  with  enlighten- 
•'  ed  eyes  the  fecret  workPnops  of  nature,  and  to  en- 
'^  joy  your  work  and  duty."  Minos  thought  this 
very  fine,  but  it  raifed  a  terrible  difiurbance  and 
broke  up  the  alTembly. 

Such  are  the  effects  of  this  boafied  enlightening  of 
the  human  mind  with  refpec\  to  religion  and  mora- 
lity. Let  us  next  coniider  what  is  the  refult  of  the 
mighty  informations  which  we  have  got  in  refpecl 
of  our  focial  or  political  connedions. 

il.  We  have  learned  the  fum  total  of  tiiis  politi- 
cal Illumination,  and  fee  that,  if  true,  it  is  melancho- 
ly, dellrndive  nt  our  prefent  comfoi'ts,  numerous  as 

they 


CRAP.  iv.         THE  rr.ENCH  P.EYOLUTION.  323 

they  are,  and  affords  no   profj)ed  of  redrefs   from 
which  we  can  picfii:,  but,  on  the  contrary,   plunges 
mankind  into  diirention,  inntual  injury,  and  univer- 
ial  mifery,and  all  this  for  the  chance  (mly  of  prevail- 
ing in  the  contefl,  and  giving  our  pollerity  a  chance 
of  going  on  in  peace,  if  no  change  ihali  be  produced, 
as  in  former  times,   by  the  efforts  of  ambitious  men. 
But  the  Iliuminatien  appears  to  be  partial,  nayfalfe. 
What  is  it  ?     It  holds  out  to  the  prince  nothing  but 
the  redgnation  of  all  his  poliefiions,  rights  and  claims, 
fanclioned  by  the  quiet  potleffion  of  ages,  and  by  ali 
the  feelings  of  the  human  heart  which  give  any  no- 
tion of  right  to  his  loweil  fubjed.      All  thefe  poflef- 
lions  and  claims  are  difcovered'lo  have  arifen  from 
ufurpations,  and  are  therefore  tyranny.     It  has  been 
dilcovered,  that  all  fubordinate  fubjections  were  en- 
forced, therefore  their  continuance  is  jlavery.      But 
both  of  thefe  hifloiical  aifertions  are  in  a  great  de- 
gree falfe,  and  the  inferences  from  them  are  unrea- 
fonable.     The  world  has  gone  on  as  we  fee  it  go  on 
at  prefent.   Moil:  principalities  or  fovereignties  have 
ariTen  as  we  fee  perfonal  authorities  and   inliuence 
arife  every  day  among  ourlelves.     Bulinefs  for  the 
whole  muft  be  done.     Moff  men  are  futficiently  oc- 
cupied by  their  private  affairs,  and  they  are  indolent 
even  in   thefe — they  are    contented  when    another 
does  the  thing  for  them.     Tnere   is  not  a  little  vil- 
lage, nor  a  f-;ciety  of  men,  where  this  is   not  fecn 
every    day.       Some  men    have    an  enjoyment    in 
this  kind  of  vicarious  employment.       Other    men 
like  influence  and  power,    and  thus  are  compen- 
fated  for  their  trouble.      Thus  many  petty  mana- 
gers of  public  affairs  arife  in  every  country.   The 
mutual  animofn  I  s    of  individuals,  and  llili  more, 
the  animofities  of  tribes,    clans,    and  dIfTerent  af- 
Ibciations,  give  rife  to  another  kind  of  fuperiors — 
to  leaders,    who  direct  the  ftruggles    of   the   reff, 

whether 


324      THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION.    CHAP.  iv. 

whether  for  offence  or  defence.  The  defcendants  of 
Ifrael  faid,  **■  they  wanted  a  man  to  go  out  before 
"  the  people,  like  other  nations."  As  the  fmall  bufi- 
nefs  of  a  few  individuals  requires  a  manager  or  a 
leader,  fo  do  fome  more  general  affairs  of  thefe  petty 
fuperiors.— Many  of  thefe  alfo  are  indolent  enough 
to  wilh  this  trouble  taken  off  their  hands  ;  and  thus 
another  rank  of  fuperiors  arifes,  and  a  third,  and  fo 
on,  till  a  great  State  may  be  formed  ;  and  in  this 
gradation  each  clafs  is  a  competent  judge  of  the 
condud  of  that  clafs  only  which  is  immediately 
above  it. 

All  this  may  arife,  and  has  often  arifen,  from  vo- 
luntary conceflion  alone.  This  conceflfion  may  pro^ 
ceed  from  various  caufes, — from  confidence  in  fu' 
perior  talents — from  confidence  in  great  worth, — 
moft  generally  from  the  refped  or  deference  which 
all  men  feel  for  great  poffeffions.  This  is  frequent- 
ly founded  in  felf-intereft  and  expe(fiations  of  ad- 
vantage ;  but  it  is  natural  to  man,  and  perhaps  fprings 
from  our  inflindlve  fympathy  with  the  fatisfadions 
of  others— we  are  unwilling  to  diflurb  them,  and 
even  wifh  to  promote  them. 

But  this  fubordination  may  arife,  and  has  often 
arifen,  from  other  caufes — from  the  love  of  power 
and  influence,  which  makes  fome  men  eager  to  lead 
others,  or  even  to  manage  their  concerns.  We  fee 
this  every  day,  and  it  may  be  perfedly  innocent.  It 
often  arifes  from  the  defire  of  gain  of  one  kind  or 
another.— This  alfo  may  frequently  be  indulged 
with  perfecfl  innocence,  and  even  with  general  ad- 
vantage. Frequently,  however,  this  fubordination 
is  produced  by  the  love  of  power  or  of  gain  pufhed 
to  an  immoderate  degree  of  ambii*on,  and  rendered 
unjufl.  Now  there  arife  oppreflion,  tyranny,  fuf- 
ferings,  and  (lavery.  Now  appears  an  oppofition 
between  the  rights  or  claims  of  the  ruler  and  of  the 

people. 


CHAP.  IV:  TrtE    FRENCH    REVOLUTION.  325 

people.  Now  the  rulers  come  to  confider  them- 
lelves  as  a  different  clafs,  and  their  tranfadions  are  now- 
only  with  each  other.— Prince  becomes  the  rival  or 
the  enemy  of  Prince;  and  in  their  contefts  one  pre- 
vails, and  the  dominion  is  enlarged.  This  rivalfhip 
may  have  begun  in  any  rank  of  Tuperiors ;  even  be- 
tween the  firli  managers  of  the  affairs  of  the  fmalleft 
communities  j  and  it  muff  be  remarked  that  thev 
only  are  the  immediate  gainers  ot  lolers  in  the  con- 
teff,  while  thofe  below  them  live  at  eafe,  enjoying 
many  advantages  of  the  delegation  of  their  own 
concerns. 

No  human  foeiety  has  ever  proceeded  purely  in 
either  of  thefe  two  ways,  but  there  has  always  been 
a  mixture  of  both. — But  this  procefs  is  indifpenfa- 
bly  necelTary  for  the  formation  of  a  great  nation, 
and  for  all  the  confequences  that  refult  only  from 
fuch  a  coalition. — -Therefore  it  is  neceffary  forgiv- 
ing rife  to  all  thofe  comforts,  and  luxuries,  and  ele- 
gances, which  are  to  be  found  only  in  great  and 
cultivated  flates.  It  is  neceffary  for  producing  fuch 
enjoyments  as  we  fee  around  us  in  Europe,  which 
we  prize  fo  highly,  and  for  which  we  are  making  all 
this  ftir  and  difturbance*  I  believe  that  no  man 
who  expeds  to  be  believed  will  pofitively  alTert  that 
human  nature  and  human  enjoyments  are  not  me- 
liorated by  this  cultivation. — It  feems  to  be  the  in- 
tention of  nature,  and,  notwithllariding  the  follies  and 
vices  of  many,  we  can  have  little  hefitation  in  fay- 
ing that  there  are  in  the  moll  cultivated  nations  of 
Europe,  and  even  in  the  higheft  ranks  of  thofe  na- 
tions, men  of  great  virtue  and  worth,  and  of  high 
accomplifhment — Nor  can  we  denv  that  fuch  men 
are  the  fineft  fpecimens  of  human  nature.  Roffeau 
indeed  wrote  a  whimfical  pamphlet,  in  which  he  had 
tl/e  vanity  to  think  that  he  had  proved  that  all  thefe 
fruits  of  cultivation  were  loiies  to  humanity  and  vir- 
tue— Yet  RoutTeau  could  not  be  contented  with  the 

2  S  foeiety 


326  THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION.  GHAP.   IV. 

fociety  of  the  rude  and  unpoliQied,  although  he  pre- 
tended that  he  was  ahr.oll  the  fole  worfliipper  of  pure 
virtue. — He  fupported  himlelf,  not  by  alfifling  the 
firnple  peafant,  but  by  writing  mufic  and  hifcious 
wovels  for  the  pampered  rich. 

-    This  is  the  circumftance  entirely  overlooked,  or 
artfully  kept  out  of  fight,  in  the  boafled   Illumina- 
tion of  thefe  days.     No  attention  is  paid   to  the  im- 
portant  changes  which  have   happened  in  national 
greatnefs,  in  national    connedion,   in  national  im- 
provement— yet  we  never  think  of  parting  with  any 
of  the   advantages,    real  or  imaginarj',    which  thefe 
changes  have  produced — nor  do  we  refled  that  in 
order  to  keep  a  great  nation  together — to  make  it 
a(fl   with   equality,   or  with  preponderancy,   among 
other  nations,  the  individual  exertions  mull:  be  con- 
centrated,  muft  be  directed — and  that  this  requires 
a  ruler  veiled  with  fupreme  power,  and  interejled  by 
fome  grfai  ami  endearing  motive^  fuch  as  hereditary 
poflellion  of  this  power  and  intiuence,   to  maintaira 
and  defend  this  coalition  of  men. — All  this  is  over- 
looked,  and  we   attend  only  to  the    fubordination 
which  is  indifpenfably  neceilary.     Its  grievances  are 
immediately  felt,  and  they  are  heightened  tenfold  by 
a  delicacy  or  feniibility  which  fprings  from  the  great 
improvements  in    the   accommodations  and  enjoy- 
ments of  life,  which  the  giadual  ufurpation  and  fub- 
fequent  fubordination  have  produced,  and  continue 
to  lupport.     But  we    are  determined  to   have    the 
elegance   and    giiindeur  of   a    palace    without    the 
prince. — We  will  not  give  up  any  of  our  luxuries 
and   retinements,   yet    will  not   fupport   thoie  high 
ranks  and   thoie  nice  minds  which  pioduccd  them, 
and  which  murt  continue  to  keep  them  from  degene- 
nitlng  into  barbarous  limpiicity  and  coarfe  feniualilv. 
We   would    keep  the  phiiofophers,   the   poets,  the 
artills,  but  not  the  Maecc  nafes.      It  is  very  true  that 
in    Inch  a   Hate  there  would   be  no  Conjuration   de^ 

Fhiiofophes  ; 


CHAP.  IV.      THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION.         32^ 

Philofophes  ;  for  in  fiich  a  date  this  vermin  oi philo- 
fophjs  and   icribblers  would   not  have  exilted.      In 
ihort,  we  would  have  what  is  impolHible. 

I  have  no  hefitation  in  faying,  that  the  BritiOi 
Conllitution  is  the  forn-i  of  government  for  a 
great  and  refined  nation,  in  which  the  ruling  fenti- 
ments  and  propenfities  of  human  nature  feem 
moll  happily  blended  and  balanced.  There  is  no 
occafion  to  vaunt  it  as  the  ancient  rights  of  Bri- 
tons, the  wifdom  of  ages,  &c.  It  has  attained  its 
prcfcnt  pitch  of  perfcdlion  by  degrees,  and  this 
not  by  the  eftorts  of  wir.iom,  hut  by  tlic  Rrugglcs 
of  vice  and  folly,  working  on  a  rich  fund  of  good 
nature,  and  of  manly  Ipirit,  that  are  conipicuous 
in  the  Britifti  character.  I  do  not  hefitate  to  fay 
that  it  is  the  only  form  of  government  which  wilt 
admit  and  give  full  e:iercife  to  all  the  refpedable 
propenfities  of  our  nature,  with  the  leail  chance 
of  di (turban ce  and  the  grcatcft  probability  of 
man's  arriving  at  the  higheft  pitch  of  improve- 
ment in  every  thing  that  raifcs  him  above  the 
beads  of  the  field.  Yet  there  is  no  part  of  it  that 
may  not,  that  is  not,  abufed,  by  puQiing  it  to  an 
improper  length,  and  the  fame  watchful  care  is 
neceffary  for  preferving  oar  ineflimable  blelfrngs 
that  was  employed  in  acquiring  them.  This  is  to 
be  done,  not  by  flying  at  once  to  an  ab{tra£t  theory 
of  the  rights  of  man.  There  is  an  evident  folly  in 
this  procedure.  What  is  this  theory  ?  It  is  the 
beft  general  ilictch  that  we  can  draw  of  focial  life, 
deduced  from  our  knowledge  of  human  jiature. 
And  "A'hat  is  this  knowledge?  It  is  a  well  digefled 
abftraft,  or  rather  a  declaration  of  what  we  have 
0  bfc  rve  d  o^  huvazn  anions.  What  is  the  ule  there* 
fore  of  this  intermediate  pidtare,  this  theory  of 
the  rigiits  of  man?— it  has  a  chance  of  being  un- 
like the  original it  mult  certainly  have  imper- 

feifiions, 


3*28         VHE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION,     CHAP.  Iv, 

fe(rtions,  therefore  it  can  be  of  no  ufe  to  ns.  We 
flionid  go  at  once  to  the  original — we  (hould  con- 
fider  how  men  ha~)e  ailed — what  have  been  their 

mutual  expe£lations — their  fond   propenfities 

what  of  thefe  are  inconfiflent  with  eacli  other — 
what  are  the  degrees  of  indulgence  which  have 
been  admitted  in  thcni  all  without  difturbance. — 
I  will  venture  to  fay  that  whoever  does  this,  will 
find  himfelf  imperceptibly  led  to  contemplate  a 
mixed  hereditary  monarchy,  and  will  figure  to 
himfelf  a  parliament  of  King,  Lords,  and  Com- 
mons, all  looking  at  each  other  with  fomewhat  of 
a  cautious  or  jealous  eye,  while  the  reft  of  the  na- 
tion are  fitting,  ^'  each  under  his  own  vine  and 
^*  under  his  own  fig-tree,  and  there  is  none  to 
**  make  him  afraid  ;"~m  one  wprd,  the  Confti- 
tution  of  Great  Britain. 

A  moft  valuable  r-fult  of  fuch  contemplation 
will  be  a  thorough  conviction  that  the  grievance 
which  is  moft  clamoroufly  infifted  pn  is  the  inevi- 
table confequence  of  the  liberty  and  fecurity  which 
we  enjoy.  I  mean  minifterial  corruption,  with  all 
the  difmal  talc  of  placemen,  and  penfioners,  and 
rotten  boroughs.  Sec,  &c.  Theie  are  never  feen 
in  a  defpotic  government — ^^-thcre  they  are  not 
wanted — nor  can  they  be  very  apparent  in  an  un- 
cultivated and  poor  ftate — but  in  a  luxurious  na- 
tion, where  pleafures  abound,  where  the  returns 
of  jnduftry  are  fecure;  here  an  individual  looks 
on  every  thing  as  his  own  acquifition — he  does  not 
feel  his  relation  to  the  ftate — has  no  patriotilm — 
thinks  that  he  wouLd  be  much  happier  if  the  ftate 
would  let  him  alone.  He  is  fretted  by  the  re- 
ftraints  which  the  public  weal  lays  on  him— there- 
fore government  and  governors  appear  as  checks 
and  hindrances  to  his  exertions— hence  a  general 
inclination  to  refift   adminiftration.     Yet  public 

buftnefs 


PHAP.  IV.  THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION.     -  ^Qg 

bufinefs  muft  be  done,  that  we  may  lie  clown  and 
rife  again  in  jafety  and  peace.  Adminiftration  muft 
be  lupported — there  are  always  perfons  who  wifh 
to  poffefs  the  power  that  is  exerciied  by  the  pre- 
fenc  minifters,  and  would  turn  them  out.  How  is 
all  this  to  be  remedied  ?  I  fee  no  v/ay  but  by  ap- 
plying to  the  felfifh  views  of  individuals— by  re- 
warding the  friends  of  adminiftration — This  may 
be  done  with  perfe£t  virtue — and  from  this  the 
felfifti  will  conceive  hopes,  and  will  fupport  a  vir- 
tuous miniftry—  but  they  are  as  ready  to  help  a 
wicked  one.  This  becomes  the  greateft  misfor- 
tune of  a  free  ration.  Minifters  are  tempted  to 
bribe — and,  if  a  fyftematic  oppofition  be  confidcr- 
ed  as  a  neceflary  part  of  a  pra£lical  conftitution, 
it  is  almoft  indifpenfable — and  it  is  no  where  fo 
prevalent  as  in  a  pure  democracy.  Laws  may  be 
contrived  to  make  it  very  troublefome,  but  can 
never  extirpate  it  nor  greatly  diminifti  it  :  this  can 
be  done  only  by  defpotifm,  or  by  national  virtue. 
It  is  a  fhameful  complaint we  (hould  not  repro- 
bate a  few  minifters,  but  the  thoufands  who  take 
the  bribes.  Nothing  tends  fo  much  to  diminifli  it 
in  a  corrupted  nation  as  great  limitations  to  the 
eligibility  of  reprefentatives— and  this  is  the  beauty 
of  our  conftitution, 

ff^e  have  not  difcovered,  therefore,  by  this  boaft- 
cd  Illumination,  that  Princes  and  fuperiors  are 
ufelefs,  and  muft  vanifti  from  the  earth  ;  nor  that 
the  people  have  now  attained  full  age,  and  are  fit 
to  govern  themfelves.  We  want  only  to  revel  a 
little  on  the  laft  fruits  of  national  cultivation, 
which  w^e  would  quickly  confume,  and  never  al- 
low to  be  raifed  again.  No  matter  how  this  pro- 
grefs  began,  whether  from  conceflion  or  ufurpa- 
tion — We  poffefs  it,  and,  if  wife,  we  will  preferve 
it,  by  preferving  its  indifpenfable  fupports.     They 

have 


330  THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION.  CHAP.  iv. 

have  indeed  been  frequently  employed  very  im- 
properly, but  their  moft  pernicious  abufe  has  been 
this  breed  of  fcribbling  vermin,  which  have  made 
the  body  politic  fmart  in  every  limb.  , 

Hear  what  opinion  was  entertained  of  the  fages 
of  P'rance  by  their  Prince,  the  father  of  Louis 
XVI.  the  unfortunate  martyr  of  Monarchy.  "  By 
*'  the  principles  of  our  new  Philofophers,  the 
'*  Throne  no  longer  wears  the  fplendour  of  divi- 
*'  nity.  They  maintain  that  it  arofe  from  vio- 
lence, and  that  by  the  fame  juilice  that  force 
eredted  it,  force  may  again  fliake  it,  and  over- 
"  turn  it.  The  people  can  never  give  up  their 
power.  They  only  let  it  out  for  their  own  ad- 
vantage, and  always  retain  the  right  to  refcind 
the  contract,  and  rcfume  it  whenever  their  pcr- 
**  fonal  advantage,  their  only  rule  of  conduct, 
"  requires  it.  Our  philofophers  teach  in  public 
*'  what  our  paliions  fuggcft  only  in  fecret.  T.'hey 
*'  fay  to  the  Prince  that  ail  is  permitted  only 
*'  when  all  is  in  his  power,  and  that  his  duty  is 
"  fulfilled  when  he  has  pleaied  his  fancy.  Then, 
*'  furely,  if  the  laws  of  ielf-intcrelt,  that  is,  the 
"  felf-will  of  human  paliions,  fliall  be  fo  generally 
"  admitted,  that  we  thereupon  forget  the  eterna,! 
"  laws  of  God  and  of  Nature,  all  conceptions  of 
'*  right  and  wrong,  of  virtue  and  vice,  of  good 
"  and  evil,  muft  be  extirpated  from  the  human 
*'  heart.  The  throne  muft  totter,  the  fubjefts 
*'  mufl:  become  unmanageable  and  mutinous,  and 
*'  their  ruler  hard-hearted  and  inhuman.  The 
"  people  will  be  inceflantly  oppreffed  or  in  an 
"  uproar." — "  What  fervice  will  it  be  if  I  order 
*'  fuch  a  book  to  be  burnt? — the  author  can  write 
"  another  to-morrow."  This  opinion  of  a  Prince 
is  unpolifhcd  indeed,  and  homely,  but  it  is  jull. 

Weilhaupt 


CHAP.  iv.     THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION.  33I 

Weifliaupt  grants,  that  *'  there  will  be  a  terri- 
"  ble   convulfion,   and  a  ftorm — but  this  will  be 
**   fucceeded  by  a  calm — the  unequal  will  now  be 
"  equal— and  when  the  caufe  of  difienfion  is  thus 
**  removed,  the  world  will  be  in  peace." — True, 
when  the  caufes  of  diiFenfion  are  removed.  Thus, 
the  deftru([tion  of  our  crop  by  vermin  is  at  an  end 
when   a  flood  has  fwept  every  thing  away-— but 
as  new  plants  will  fpring  up  in  the  waile,  and,  if 
not  inftantly  devoured,  will  again  cover  the  ground  • 
with  verdure,  Co  the  indufhry  of  man,  and  his  de- 
lire  of  comfort  and   confideration,  will  again  ac- 
cumulate  in  the  hands  of  the  diligent  a  greater 
proportion  of  the  good  things  of  life.    In  this  in- 
fant ftate  of  the  emerging  remains  of  former  cul- 
tivation, comforts,  which  the  prefent  inhabitants 
of  Europe  would  look  on  with  contempt,  will  be 
great,  improper,  and  hazardous  acquifitions.  The 
principles  which   authorifc  the  propofed  dreadful 
equalifation  will  as  juftly  entitle  the  idleorunfuc- 
ccfsful  of  future  days  to  flrip  the  pofTeflbr  of  his 
advantages,  and  things  mud  ever  remain  on  their 
favage  level. 

111.  I  think  that  the  impreflion  which  the  in- 
fmcerity  of  conduft  of  thole  inftru£tors  will  leave 
on  the  rnind,  muft  be  highly  ufeful.  They  arc  evi- 
dently teaching  what  they  do  not  believe  them- 
felves — and  here  I  do  not  confine  my  remark  to 
their  preparatory  do6irines,  which  tl;ey  after- 
v/ards  explode.  I  make  it  chiefly  with  rcfpeft 
to  their  grand  ottenfible  principle,  which  per- 
vades the  whole,  a  princip.'e  whicli  they  arc 
obliged  to  adopt  againil  their  will.  -They  know- 
that   the    principles  of  virtue   are   rooted   in   the 

'heart,  and  that  they  can   only  be  fmothered 

but  did  they  pretend  to  eradicate  them   and  pro- 
claim bomincm  homini  lupum^  all  would  fpurn  at  their 

inltruclion 


33^         THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION.     CMAP.  Wi 

inftrudion.  We  are  wheedled,  by  tickling  our  fanr 
ey  with  a  notion  that  facred  virtue  is  not  only  fecuref, 
but  that  it  is  only  in  fuch  hearts  that  it  exerts  its  na- 
tive energy.  Seniible  that  the  levelling  miixims  now 
fpoken  of  are  revolting  to  the  mind,  the  Illumina- 
tors are  under  the  necelFity  of  keeping  us  from  look- 
ing at  the  fhocking  pidure,  by  difplaying  a  beauti- 
ful fcene  of  Utopian  happinefs — and  they  rock  us 
afleep  by  the  eternal  lullaby  of  morality  and  univer- 
sal philanthropy.  Therefore  the  foregoing  narra- 
tion of  the  perfonal  conduct  of  thefe  initrudors  and 
reformers  of  the  world,  is  highly  ufeful.  All  this  is 
to  be  brought  about  by  the  native  lovelinefs  of  pure 
virtue,  purged  of  the  corruptions  which  fuperfli- 
tious  fears  have  introduced,  and  alfo  purged  of  the 
felfifh  thoughts  which  are  avowed  by  the  advocates 
of  what  their  opponents  call  true  religion.  This  is 
iaid  to  hold  forth  eternal  rewards  to  the  good,  and  to 
threaten  the  wicked  with  dreadful  punifhment.  Ex- 
perience has  Ihown  how  inefficient  fuch  motives 
are.  Can  they  be  otherwife?  iay  our  Illuminators. 
Are  they  not  addrefTed  to  a  principle  that  is  ungene- 
rous and  felfilh  ?  But  our  dodrines,  fay  they,  touch 
the  hearts  of  the  worthy.  Virtue  is  beloved  for  her 
own  fake,  and  all  will  yield  to  her  gentle  fway.  But 
look,  Reader,  look  at  Spartacus  the  murderer,  at 
Cato  the  keeper  of  poifons  and  the  thief — Look  at 
Tiberius,  at  Alcibiades,  and  the  reft  of  the  Bavarian 
Pandemonium.  Look  at  poor  Bahrdt.  Go  to 
France— look  at  Lequinio,  at  Condorcet*.      Look 

*  De  la  Metherie  fays,  (Journ.  de  Phyf.  Nov.  1792,)  that 
Condercet  was  brought  up  in  the  honfe  of  the  old  Duke  of  Ro- 
chefoucault,  who  treated  him  as  his  fon — got  Turgot  to  create  a 
lucrative  office  for  him,  and  raifed  him  to  all  his  eminence — yet 
he  purfued  him  with  malicious  reports — and  atlually  employed 
ruffians  to  afTaffinate  him  Yet  is  Condorcet's  writing  a  model  of 
humanity  and  tcndernefs. 

at 


CriAP.   IV,  THE   FRENCH  REVOLUTION.  333 

at  the  Monger  Orleans. 'All  were  liars.       Their 

divinity  had  no  influence  on  their  profligate  minds. 
They  only  wanted  to  wheedle  you,  by  touching  the 
flrinss  of  humanity  and  ffoodnels  which  are  yet 
braced  up  in  your  heart,  and  which  flill  yield  fweet 
harmony  if  you  will  accompany  their  notes  with 
thofe  of  religion,  and  neither  clog  thein  with  the 
groveling  pleafnres  of  fenfe,  nor  damp  the  whole 
with  the  thought  of  eternal  (ilence. 

A  mofl  worthy  andaccomplifhed  gentleman,  who 
took  refuge  in  this  country,  leaving  behind  him  his. 
property,  and  friends  to  whom  he  was  mofl:  tenderly 
attached,  often  faid  to  me  that  noihing  fo  much  af- 
fecled  him  as  the  revolution  in  the  hearts  of  men. 
— Charaders  which  were  unfpotted,  hearts  thorough- 
ly known  to  himfelf,  having  been  tried  by  many 
things  which  fearch  the  inmoft  folds  of  felfifhnefs  or 
malevolence — in  {fjort,  perfons  whofe  judgments 
were  excellent,  and  on  whofe  worth  he  could  have 
refled  his  honour  and  his  life,  fo  fafcinated  by  the 
contagion,  that  they  came  at  laft  to  behold,  and  even 
to  commit  the  mofl:  atrocious  crimes  with  delight. — 
He  ufed  fometlmes  to  utter  a  flgh  which  pierced  my 
heart,  and  would  fay,  that  it  was  caufed  by  fome  of 
thofe  things  that  had  come  acrofs  his  thoughts.  He 
breathed  his  lafl  among  us,  declaring  that  it  was  im- 
poflible  to  recover  peace  of  mind,  without  a  total  ob- 
livion of  the  wickednefs  and  miferies  he  had  beheld. 
— What  a  valuable  advice,  "  Let  hirn  that  thinketh 
he  flandeth,  take  heed  left  he  fall." — When  the  pro- 
phet told  Hazael  that  he  would  betray  his  Prince,  he 
exclaimed,  '^  Is  thy  fervant  a  dog,  that  he  fhould  do 
fuch  a  thing  ?"     Yet  next  day  he  murdered  him. 

Never  fince  the  beginning  of  the  world,  has  true 
religion  received  fo  complete  an  acknowledgment  of 
her  excellence,  as  has  been  extorted  from  the  fana- 
tics who  have  attempted  to  deflroy  her.     Religion 

2   i:  flood 


334  THE   FRENCH  KEVOLUTION.  CHAP.  IV* 

flood  in  their  way,  and  the  wretch  Marat,  as  well  as 
the   ileady    villain   Wcifhaupt,   law  that  they  could 
not  proceed  till  they  had  eradicated  all  fentiuients  of 
of  the  moral  government  of  the  univerfe.      Human 
nature,  improved  as  it  has  been  by  religion,   Ihrunk 
from  the  tafks  that  were  impofed,  and  it  murt  there- 
fore be  brutalized— The  grand  conlederation  was  fo- 
lemnly   fworii  to   by   millions  in  every  .corner   of 
France — but,  as  Mirabeau  faid  of  the  declaration  of 
the  Rights  of  Man,   it  mull  be  made  only  the    '*  Al- 
manack of  the   bygone  year"-— Therefore  Lequinia 
muft  write  a  book,  declaring  oaths    to  be  nonfenfe, 
unworthy  of  San  Culottes,    and  all  religfon  to  be  a 
farce.  Not  long  after,  they  found  that  they  had  fome 
ufe  for  a  God — but  he  was  gone-— and  they  could 
not  find  another.     Their  conflitutipn  was  gone— 
and  they  have  not  yet  found  another.     What  is  now 
left  them  on  which  they  can  depend  for  awing  a  man 
into  a  refpe*fl  for  truth  in  his  judicial  declarations  f 
what  but  the  honour  of  a  Citizen  of  France,   who 
laughs  ?.t   all  engagements,   which    he   has    broken 
again  and  again  ?     Religion  has  taken  off  with  her 
every  fenfe  of  human  duty.     What  can  we  expecfl 
but  villainy  from  an  ArchbiQiop   of   Paris  and  his 
chapter,  who  made  a  public  profeflion  that  they  had 
been  playing  the  villains  for  many  years,  teaching 
what  they  thought  to  be  a  bundle   of  lies  ?     What 
but  the  very  thing  which  they   have  done,    cutting 
each  other's  throats  ?— Have  not  the  enlightened  ci- 
tizens of  France  applauded  the  execution  of  their  fa- 
thers ?     Have    not   the  furies  of  Paris  denounced 
their  own  children  ?     But  turn  vour  eyes  from  the 
horrifying  fpeiftacle,  and  think  on  your  own  noble 
defcent  and  alliance.     You   are  not   the  accidental 
p>'odutflions  of  a  fatal  chaos,  but  the  work  of  a  Great 
Artifl,  creatures  that  are  cared  for,   born   to  noble 
profpeds,  and  conduced  to   them   by  the  plaineft 

iind 


CHAP.    IV.  THE    FRENCH    REVOLUTION.  ^3^ 

and  mod:  fimple  precepts,  "  to  do  juftly,  to  love 
"  mercy,  and  to  walk  humbly  before  God,"  not  be- 
wildered by  the  falfe  and  fluttering  glare  of  French 
Philofophy,  but  conduced  by  this  clear,  (ingle  light, 
perceivable  by  all,  "Do  to  others  what  you  fhouid 
"  reafonably  exped  them  to  do  to  you." 


Think  not  the  Mufe  whofe  fober  voice  you  hear, 
Contrails  with  bigot  fr»wn  her  fullen  brow, 

Cafts  round  Religion's  orb  the  mifts  of  Fear, 

Or  (hades  with  horror  what  with  fmiles  fhouid  glow. 

No — -fhe  would  warn  you  with  feraphic  fire. 
Heirs  as  ye  are  of  Heaven's  eternal  day, 

Would  bid  you  boldly  to  that  Heaven  afpire. 
Not  link  and  fluraber  in  your  cells  of  clay. 

Is  this  the  bigot*s  rant  ?  Away,  ye  vain. 

Your  doubts,  your  fears,  in  gloomy  dulnefs  fteep  ; 

Go — foothe  your  fouls  in  ficknefs,  death,  or  pain. 
With  the  fad  folacc  of  eternal  fleep. 

Yet  know,  vain  fceptics,  know,  th'  Almighty  Mind, 
Who  breath'd  on  man  a  portion  of  his  fire. 

Bade  his  free  foul,  by  earth  nor  time  confia'd. 
To  Heaven,  to  immortality  afpire. 

Nor  fhall  this  pile  of  hope  his  bounty  rear'd. 

By  vain  philofophy  be  e'er  deitroy'd  ; 
Eternity,  by  all  or  hop'd  or  fear'd, 

Shall  be  by  all  or  fuffer'd  or  enjoy'd. 


Mas 


ON. 


The  unfortunate  Prince  who  has  taken  refuge  in 
this  kingdom,  and  whofe  (ituation  among  us  is  an 
illudrions  mark  of  the  generolity  of  the  nation,  and 
of  the  fovereignty  of  its  laws,  laid  to  one  of  the 
Gentleman  about  him,  that  ''  if  this  country  was  to 
*'  efcape  the  general  wreck  of  nations,  it  would 
"  owe  its  prefervation  to  Religion." — When  this 
was  doubted,  and  it  was  obferved,  that  there  had 
not   been    wanting   many  Religionifls  in   France  : 

"  True," 


336  THE    FRENCH    REVOLUTION.  CHAP.  iv. 

"•  True,"  laid  the  Prince,  *' but  they  were  not  in 
"  earnell. — I  fee  here  a  ferious  intereH:  in  the  thing. 
"  The  people  know  what  they  aie  doing  when  they 
''  go  to  church — they  underitand  fomething  of  it, 
*'  and  lake  an  interell  in  it."  May  his  obfervation 
bejuft,  and  his  expedations  be  fulfilled  ! 

IV.   I  would  again  call   upon  my  countrywomen 
with  the  molVearnell:  concern,  and  befcech  them  to 
confiderthis  Inbjecflasof  more  particular  importance 
to  themfelves  than  even    to  the  men.— While  wo- 
man is  conhdered  as  a  rcfpedable  moral  agent,  train- 
ing along  with  ourfelves  for  endlefs  improvement  ; 
then,  and  only  then,  will  [he  be  conhdered  by  lord- 
ly man  as  his  equal  ;---ihen,  and  only  then,  will  (he 
be  allowed  to  have  any  rights,    and  thofe  rights  be 
refpecled.     Strip    women  of  this  prerogative,   and 
they  become  the  drudges  of  man's  indolence,  or  the 
pampered  playthings  of  his  idle   hours,  fubjecl   to 
his   caprices,  and  flaves  to  his  mean  paffions.     Soon 
will  their  piefent  empire  of  gallantry  be  over.      It 
is  a  refinement    of  manners    which   fprans"    from 
Chriftianity ;    and   when   Chriflianity  is  forgotten, 
this  artificial  diadern  will  be  taken  from  their  heads, 
and  unlefs   they   adopt  the  ferocious  fentiments  of 
their   Gallic   neighbours,   and  join  in  the  general 
uproar,  they  will  fink  into  the  infignificance  of  the 
women'   in    the   turbulent   republics   of    Greece, 
where  they  are  never  feen  in   the  bufy  haunts  of 
men,  it  we  except  four  or  five,  who,  during  the 
courfe   of  as  many   centuries,  emerged    from  the 
general  obfcurity,  and  appear  in  the  hiltoric  page, 
by  their  ur.conimon   talents,  and    by  tfic  facrifice 
©f  what   my  fair    countrywomen   ftill  hold  to  be 
the  ornament  of  their  lev.     1  would  remind  them, 
that  they    have   it   in    tlu. ir  power  to   retain  their 
prtfent  honourable   ilation  in    fociety.     They  are 
our   early    indruCtors  ;  and  while   mothers  in  the 

rcfpc^table 


CHAP,  iv,      THE  FRENCH  .REVOLUTION.  337 

refpedable  ffcations  of  life  continued  to  inculcate 
on  the  tender  minds  of  their  fons  a  veneration 
for  the  precepts  of  Religion,  their  pliant  children,' 
receiving  their  indru^tions  along  v/ith  the  affec- 
tionate careffes  of  their  mothers,  got  imprefiions 
which  long  retained  their  force,  and  \Vhich  pro- 
tected them  from  the  impulfes  of  youthful  paffions, 
till  ripening  years  fitted  their  minds  for  liftening 
to  ferious  inllruction  from  their  public  teachers. 
Sobriety  and  decency  of  manners  were  then  no 
{lur  on  the  character  of  a  youth,  and  he  was 
thought  capable  of  llruggling  for  independence, 
or  pre-eminence,  fit  either  for  fupporting  or  de- 
fending the  ftate,  although  he  was  neither  a  toper 
nor  a  rake.  1  believe  that  no  man  who  has  feen 
thirty  or  forty  years  of  life  will  deny  that  the 
manners  of  youth  are  fadly  changed  in  this  refpeCt. 
And,  without  prefuming  to  fay  that  this  has  pro- 
ceeded from  the  negledt,  and  almoil:  total  ceffa- 
tion  of  the  moral  education  of  the  nurfery,  I  think 
myfelf  well  warranted,  from  my  own  obfervation, 
to  fay  that  this  education  and  the  fober  manners 
of  young  men  have  quitted  us  together. 

Some  will  call  this  prudery,  and  croaking.  But 
I  am  almoft  tranfcribing  from  Cicero,  and  from 
Qj.iintilian.  Cornelia,  Aurelia,  Attia,  and  other 
ladies  of  the  firft  rank,  arc  praifed  by  Cicero  only 
for  their  eminence  in  this  refpeft  ;  but  not  becaufe 
they  vjQve  Jingular.  Quintilian  fays,  that  in  the 
time  immediately  prior  to  his  own,  it  had  been 
the  general  praftice  of  the  ladies  of  rank  to  fuper- 
intend  the  moral  education  both  of  fons  and 
daughters.  But  of  late,  fays  he,  they  are  fo  engag- 
ed in  continual  and  corrupting  amufements,  fuch 
as  the  (hows  of  gladiators,  horie-racing,  and  deep 
play,  that  they  have  no  time,  and  have  yielded 
their  places  to  Greek  governeffcs  and  tutors,  out 

cair 
s 


33^         THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION.      CHAP,  iv, 

caftsof  a  nation  more  fubdued  by  their  own  vices 

than   by  the  Roman   arms 1  dare  fay  this  was 

laughed  at,  as  croaking  about  the  corruption  of 
the  age.  But  what  was  the  confcquence  of  all 
this? — The  Romans  became  the  molt  abandoned 
voluptuaries,  and,  to  prcfeive  their  mean  plea- 
fures,  they  crouched  as  willing  flaves  to  a  fuccef- 
fion  of  the  vilefl  tyrants  that  ever  difgraced  hu- 
manity. 

What  a  noble  fund  of  felf-eftimation  would  our 
fair  partners  acquire  to  themfelves,  if,  by  reform- 
ing the  manners  of  the  young  generation,  they 
ftiould  be  the  means  of  reftoring  peace  to  the 
world  !  They  have  it  in  their  puwery  by  the  re- 
newal of  the  good  old  cuiloni  of  early  inftruc- 
tion,  and  perhaps  Hill  more,  by  imprelTuig  on  the 
minds  of  their  daughters  the  fame  ientiments,  and 
obliging  them  to  refpeiSt  fobriety  and  decency  in 
the  youth,  and  pointedly  to  withhold  their  fmiles 
and  civilities  from  all  who  tranfgrefs  thefe  in  the 
fmalleft  degree.  This  is  a  method  of  proceeding 
that  will  moji  certainly  he  vi^orioiis.  Then  indeed 
will  the  women  be  the  faviours  of  their  country. 
While  therefore  the  German  fair  liave  been  re- 
peatedly branded  with  having  welcomed  the 
French  invaders*,  let  our  ladies  (land  up  for  the 
honour  of  free-born  Britons,  by  turning  againil 
the  pretended  enlighteners  of  the  world,  the  arms 
which  nature  has  put  into  their  hands,  and  which 
thofe  proiligates  have  prelumptuoufly  expedled  to 

*  I  have  met  with  this  charge  in  many  places ;  and  one  book 
in  particular,  written  by  a  Pruflian  General  Officer,  who  was  In 
the  country  over-tun  by  tne  French  troop?,  gives  a  detail  of  the 
conduA  of  the  women  that  is  very  remarkable.  He  alfofays,  that 
infidelity  has  become  very  prevalent  among  the  ladies  in  the  higher 
circles,  indeed  this  melancholy  account  is  to  be  found  in  many 
paHages  of  the  private  correfpondence  of  the  Illuminati. 

employ 


CHAP.  iv.  THE    FRENCH    REVOLUTIO.V.  33^ 

employ  in  extending  their  influence  over  mrailcind. 
The  empire  of  beanty  is  but  Ihort,  but  the  em- 
pire of  virtue  is  durable  ;  nor  is  there  an  inilance 
to  be  met  with  of  its  decline.  If  it  be  yet  pofTible 
to  reform  the  world,  it  is  poiTible  for  the  fair.  By 
the  conftitution  of  human  nature,  they  muft  al- 
ways appear  as  the  ornament  of  human  life,  and 
be  the  objects  of  fondnefs  and  affedion  ;  fo  that 
if  atly  thing  can  make  head  againft  the  feifirti  and 
overbearing  difpofitions  of  man,  it  is  his  refpe£lful 
regard  for  the  fex.  But  mere  fondnefs  has  but  lit- 
tle of  the  rational  creature  in  it,  and  we  fee  it  har- 
bour every  day  in  the  bread  that  is  filled  with  the 
meancft;  and  moft  turbulent  padions.  No  where  is 
it  fo  llrong  as  in  the  harems  of  the  eaft;  and  as 
long  as  the  women  a(k.  nothing  of  the  men  but 
fondnefs  and  admiration,  they  will  get  nothing 
elfe — they  will  never  be  refpe6ted.  But  let  them 
roufe  themfelvcs,  alTert  their  dignity,  by  (hewing 
their  own  elevated  fentiments  of  human  nature, 
and  by  acting  up  to  this  claim,  and  they  may  then 
command  the  world. 

V.  Another  good  confequencc  that  (liould  re- 
fult  from  the  account  that  has  been  given  of  the 
proceedings  of  this  confpiracy  is,  that  fince  the 
fafcinatiug  pl<n:ure  of  human  life,  by  which  men 
have  been  wheedled  into  immediate  anarchy  and 
rebellion,  is  infinceie,  and  a  mere  artificial  crea- 
ture of  the  imagination,  it  can  have  no  (leadinefs, 
but  mull  be  changed  by  every  freak  of  fancy,  or 
by  every  ingenious  fophift,  who  can  give  an  equal 
plaufibility  to  whatever  fuits  his  prelent  views.  It 
is  as  much  an  airy  phantom  as  any  other  whim  of 
Free  Mafonry,  and  has  no  prototype,  no  original 
pattern  in  human  nature,  to  which  recourfe  may 
always  be  had,  to  correft  miflakes,  and  keep  things 
in   a  conftiant  tenor.     Has  not  France   given   the 

moft 


340      THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION*    CHAP,  iv* 

mofl:  unequivocal  proofs  of  this?  Was  not  the  de,- 
claration  of  the  Rights  of  Man,  the  produftion  of 
their  moll  brilliant  Illuminators,  a  pi6ture,  171  ab- 
jlrado^  where  man  was  placed  at  a  diftance  from 
the  eye,  that  no  falfc  light  of  local  fituation  might 
pervert  the  judgment  or  engage  the  paffions?  Was 
it  not  declared  to  be  the  mafter-piece  of  human 
wifdom  ?  Did  not  the  nation  confider  it  at  leifure? 
and,  having  it  continually  before  tlieir  eyes,  did 
they  not,  ftep  by  flep,  give  their  aflent  to  the  dif- 
ferent articles  of  their  Conftitution,  derived  from 
it,  and  fabricated  by  their  ,mo{l  choice  Illumina- 
tors? And  did  not  this  Conftitution  draw  the  ap- 
plaufes  of  the  bright  geniufes  of  other  nations, 
who  by  this  time  were  bufy  in  perfuading,  each 
his  countrymen,  that  they  were  ignoramufes  in 
flatiftics,  and  patient  flaves  of  opprefTion  or  of  an- 
cient prejudices?  Did  not  panegyrics  on  it  iffne 
from  every  garret  in  London  ?  Where  is  it  now  ? 
where  is  its  fucceflbr  ?  Has  any  one  plan  of  govern- 
ment fubfifted,  except  while  it  was  fupported  by 
the  incontroulable  and  inexoi-able  power  of  the 
guillotine  ?  Is  not  the  prefent  adminiftration  of 
France  as  much  as  ever  the  obje£l  of  difcontent 
and  of  terror,  and  its  coercions  as  like  as  ever  to 
the  fummary  juftice  of  the  Parifian  mob  ?  Is  there 
any  probability  of  its  permanency  in  a  ftate  of 
peace,  when  the  fears  of  a  foreign  enemy  no  lon- 
ger give  a  confolidation  to  their  meafures,  and 
oblige  them  either  to  agree  among  themfelvcs,  or 
immediately  to  perifli  ? 

VI.  The  above  accounts  evince  in  the  mofl 
uncontrovertible  manner  the  dangerous  tendency 
of  all  myftical  focieties,  and  of  all  aflbciations 
who  hold  fccret  meetings.  We  fee  that  their  uni- 
form progrefs  has  been  from  frivolity  and  nonfenfe 
to  wickednefs  and  fcdition.     Wcifliaupt  has  been 

at 


CHAP.  iv.   The  French  revolution.    341 

at  great  pains  to  flievv  the  good  efFefts  of  fecrecy  iii 
the  Aflbciation,  and  the  arguments  are  valid  for 
this  purpofe.  But  all  his  arguments  are  fo  many 
diiTuafive  advices  to  every  thinking  and  fober 
mind.  The  man  who  really  vviftiesto  difcover  an 
abftrufe  truth  will  place  himfelf,  if  pofTible  in  a 
calm  fitiiation,  and  will  by  no  means  expofe  him- 
felf to  the  impatient  hankering  for  fecrets  and 
wonders— and  he  will  akvays  fear  that  a  thing 
which  refolutely  conceals  itfelf  cannot  bear  the 
light.  All  who  have  ferioufly  employed  them- 
felves  in  the  difcovery  of  truth  have  found  the 
great  advantages  of  open  communication  of  fen- 
timent.  And  it  is  againfl  common  fenfe  to  ima- 
gine that  there  is  any  thing  of  vaft  importance  to 
mankind  which  is  yet  a  fecret^  and  which  muft 
be    kept  a  fecret  in  order  to  be  ufcful.     This  is 

againft  the  whole  experience  of  mankind And 

furely  to  hug  in  one's  bread  a  fecret  of  fuch  mighty 
importance,  is  to  give  the  lie  to  all  our  profeffions 
of  brotherly  love.  What  a  folecifm  !  a  fecret  to 
fenlighten  and  reform  the  whole  world.  We  ren- 
der all  our  endeavours  impotent  when  we  grafp  at 
a  thing  beyond  our  power.  Let  an  aflbciation  be 
formed  with  a  ferious  plan  for  reforming  its  own 
members,  and  let  them  extend  in  numbers  in  pro- 
portion as  they  fucceed — this  might  do  fome  good. 
But  muft  the  way  of  doing  this  be  a  fecret?— It 
may  be  to  many — who  will  not  look  for  it  where 
it  is  to  be  found-: — It  is  this ; 

'*  Do  good, — ^feek  peace, — and  purfue  it.'^ 

But  it  is  almoft  affronting  the  reader  to  fuppoie 
arguriients  neceffary  on  this  point.  If  there  be  a 
heceffity  for  fecrecy,  the  purpofe  of  the  aflbcia- 
tion is  either  frivolous,  or  it  is  felfiftr. 

2  U  Novf 


342         THE  FREN/CH  REVOLUTIQN.  CHAP,  iv. 

Now,  in  either  caff,  the  clanger  of  fiich  fecrer 
alTemblies  is  manifcfl:.  Mere  frivolity  can  never 
reriouHy  occupy  men  come  to  age.  And  accord- 
ingly we  fee  that  in  every  quarter  of  Europe  where 
Free  Mafonry  has  been  eftablilhcd,  the  Lodges 
have  become  feed-beds  c»f  public  mifchief.  I  be- 
lieve that  no  ordinary  brother  will  fay  that  the 
occupations  in  the  Lodges  are  any  thing  better 
than  frivolous,  very  frivolous  indeed.  The  diftri- 
bution  of  charity  needs  be  no  fecret,  and  it  is  but 
a  very  fniall  part  of  the  employment  of  the  meet- 
ing. This  being  the  cafe  it  is  in  human  nature 
that  the  greater  we  fuppofe  the  frivolity  of  fuch 
an  affociation  to  be,  the  greater  is  the  chance  of 
its  ceafing  to  give  fufficient  occupation  to  the 
mind,  and  the  greater  is  the  rifli  that  the  meet- 
ings may  be  employed  to  other  purpofes  which 
require  concealment.  When  this  happens,  felf- 
interefl.^alone  muft  prompt  and  rule,  and  now 
there '^  ho  length  that  fome  men  will  not  go,  when 
they  think  themfelves  in  no  danger  of  detedlion 
and  punifhment.  The  v.'hole  proceedings  of  the 
fecret  focieties  of  Free  Mafons  on  the  Continent 
(and  I  am  authorifed  to  fay,  of  fome  Lodges  in 
Britain)  have  taken  one  turn,  and  this  turn  is 
pcrfeftly  natural.  In  all  countries  there  are  men 
of  licentious  morals.  Such  men  wifh  to  have  a 
fafe  opportunity  of  indulging  their  wits  in  fatire 
and  farcafm  ;  and  they  are  pJeafed  with  the  fup- 
port  of  others.  The  defire  of  making  profelytes  is 
in  every  bread — and  it  is  whetted  by  the  reflraints 
of  fociety.  And  all  countries  have  difcontented 
men,  whofe  grumblings  will  raifc  difcontent  in 
others,  who  might  not  have  attended  to  fome  of 
the  trifling  hardftiips  and  injuries  they  met  with, 
had  they  not  been  reminded  of  them.  To  be  dif- 
contented, and  not  to  think  of  fchcmes  of  redrcfs, 

is 


CHAP.  Iv.  THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION.  343 

is  what  we  cannot  think  natural  or  manly — and 
where  can  fuch  fentiments  and  fchcmes  find  fucii 
fafc  utterance  and  inch  probable  fupport  as  in -a 
fccret  fociety  ?  Free  Maionry  is  innocent  of  all 
thefe  things;  but  Free  Mafonry  has  been  abufed, 
and  at  lafl:  totally  perverted — and  fo  will  and  mud 
any  fuch  fccret  aflfociation,  as  long  as  men  are  li- 
centious in  their  opinions  or  wicked  in  their  dif- 
pofitions. 

It  were  devoutly  to  be  wiflied  therefore  that  the 
whole  fraternity  would  imitate  the  truly  benevo- 
lent conduft  of  thofe  German  Lodges  who  have 
formally  broken  up,  and  made  a  patriotic  facrifice 
of  their  amufement  to  the  fafety  of  the  (late.  I 
cannot  think  the  facrifice  great  or  coftly.  It  can 
be  no  difficult  matter  to  find  as  pleafing  a  way  of 

palling  a  vacant  hour and  the  charitable  deeds 

of  the  members  need  not  diminifh  in  the  fmallefl 
degree.  Every  perfon's  little  circle  of  acquaint- 
ance will  give  him  opportunities  of  gratifying  his 
kind  difpofitions,  without  the  chance  of  being  mif- 
taken  in  the  worth  of  the  perfon  on  whom  he  be- 
ftows  his  favours.  There  is  no  occafion  to  go  to 
St.  Peterfburg  for  a  poor  Brother,  nor  to  India  for 
a  convert  to  Chriftianity,  as  long  as  we  fee  fo 
many  fufferers  and  infidels  among  ourfelves. 

But  not  only  are  fecret  focieties  dangerous,  but 
all  focieties  whofe  obje£t  is  myfterious.  The  whole 
hiflory  of  man  is  a  proof  of  this  pofition.  In  no 
age  or  country  has  there  ever  appeared  a  myfleri- 
ous  affociation  which  did  not  in  time  become  a 
public  nuifance.  Ingenious  or  defigning  men  of 
letters  have  attempted  to  Ihow  that  fonie  of  the 
ancient  myfteries  were  ufeful  to  mankind,  con- 
taining rational  doctrines  of  natural  religion.  This 
was  the  ftrong  hold  of  Wciihaupt,  and  he  quotes 
the  Eleufinian,  the  Pythagorean,  and  other  myf- 
teries. 


344       THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION.   CHAP,  iv^ 

teries.  Butfurely  their  extern  alfigns  and  tokens  were 
every  thing  that  is  (liocking  to  decency  and  civil 
order.  It  is  uncommon  prefumption  for  tlie  learn- 
ed of  the  eighteenth  century  to  pretend  to  know 
more  about  them  than  their  contemporaries,  the 
philofophers,  the  lawgivers  of  antiquity.  Thefe 
give  no  fuch  account  of  them.  I  would  defire  any 
perfon  who  admires  the  ingenious  differtations  of 
Dr.  Warburton  to  read  a  dull  German  book,  call- 
Carcifterijlik  der  AJyjlcrien  der  ylltern^  puhliflied 
at  Frankfort  in  1787.  The  author  contents  him- 
felf  with  a  patient  colie£tion  of  every  fcrap  of 
every  ancient  author  who  has  faid  any  thing  about 
them.  If  the  reader  can  fee  anything  in  them  but 
the  mod  abfurd  and  immoral  polytheifm  and  fa- 
ble, he  muft  take  words  in  a  fenfe  that  is  ufelefs  in 
reading  any  other  piece  of  ancient  compolition, 
I  have  a  notion  that  the  Dionyfiacs  of  lona  had 
fbme  fcientific  fecrets,  viz.  all  the  knowledge  of 
practical  mechanics  which  was  employed  by  their 
archite£ls  and  engineers,  and  that  they  were  re- 
ally a  Mafonic  Fraternity.  But,  like  the  liluminati, 
they  tagged  to  the  fecrets  of  Mafonry  the  fccret 
of  drunkennefs  and  debauchery  ;  they  had  tiieir 
Sifter  Lodges,  and  at  laft  became  rebels,  fubver- 
tcrs  of  the  ftates  where  they  were  protc6lcd,  till 
aiming  at  the  dominion  of  all  Ionia,  they  were 
attacked  by  the  neighbouring  Hates  and  difperfed. 
They  were  Illuminators  too,  and  wanted  to  in- 
troduce the  worfliip  of  Bacchus  over  the  whole 
country,  as  appears  in  the  account  of  them  given 
by  Strabo.  Perhaps  the  Pythagoreans  had  aUb 
fome  fcientific  fecrets  ;  but  they  too  were  Illumi- 
nators, and  thought  it  their  duty  to  overfet  the 
State,  and  were  themfclves  overfet. 

Nothing  is  fo  dangerous  as  a  my  (lie  Aflbciation, 
\J"he  object  remaining  a  fecrct  in  the  hands  of  the 

managers 


<iHAP.   IV.  THE    FRENCH    REVOLUTION.  34^ 

managers,  the  reft  finipiy  put  a  ring  in  their  own 
nofes,  by  which  they  may  be  led  about  at  pleafure  j 
and  lliJI  panting  after  the  fecret,  they  are  the  bet- 
ter pleated  the  lels  they  fee  of  their  way.  A  myf- 
tical  object  enables  the  leader  to  ftiift  his  ground 
as  he  pleafes,  and  to  accommodate  himfelf  to 
every  current  fafliion  or  prejudice.  This  again 
gives  him  almoft  unlimited  power  ;  for  he  can 
make  ufe  of  thefe  prejudices  to  lead  men  by  troops. 
He  finds  them  already  affociated  by  their  preju- 
dices, and  waiting  for  a  leader  to  concentrate 
their  ftrength  and  fet  them  in  motion.  And  when 
once  great  bodies  of  men  are  fet  in  motion,  with 
a  creature  of  their  fancy  for  a  guide,  even  the 
engineer  himfelf  cannot  fay,  "  Thus  far  ilialt  thou 
"  go,  and  no  farther.'* 

VII.  We  may  alfo  gather  from  what  we  have  feen 
that  all  declamations  on  univerial  philanthropy  are 
dangerous.  Their  natural  and  immediate  eft'ed  qii 
the  mind  is  to  increafe  the  difcontents  of  the  un- 
fortunate, and  of  thofe  in  the  laborious  rank's  of  life. 
No  one,  even  of  the  Illuminators,  will  deny  that 
thofe  ranks  mull  be  filled,  if  fociety  exifis  in  any  de- 
gree of  cultivation  whatever,  and  that  there  will  al- 
ways be  a  greater  number  of  men  who  have  no  far- 
ther profped.  Surely  it  is  unkind  to  put  fuch  men 
continually  in  mind  of  a  ftate  in  which  they  might 
be  at  their  eafe  ;  and  it  is  unkindnefs  unmixed,  be- 
caufeall  the  change  that  they  will  produce  will  be,  that 
James  will  ferve  John,  who  formerly  was  the  fervant 
of  James.  Such  declamations  naturally  tend  to 
caufe  men  to  make  light  of  the  obligations  and  du- 
ties of  common  patrioiifm,  becaufe  thefe  are  repre- 
fented  as  llibordinate  and  inferior  to  the  greater  and 
more  noble  atfedion  of  univerial  benevolence.  I 
do  not  pretend  to  fay  that  patrictifm  is  founded  in  a 
rationally  perceived  pre-eminence  or  excellence  of 

the 


54^  THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION.  CHAP.   iv. 

the  foclety  with  which  we  are  conne(f^ed.  But  if  it 
be  a  fa(ft  that  fociety  will  not  advance  unlefs  its  mem- 
bers take  an  interefl:  in  it,  and  that  human  nature 
improves  only  in  fociety,  fureiy  this  intereft  fliould 
be  cherilhed  in  every  breafl:.  Perhaps  national 
union  arifes  from  national  animofuy  ; — but  they  are 
plainly  dirtingui(hable,  and  union  is  not  necefi'arily 
produclive  of  injuflice.  The  fame  arguments  that 
have  any  force  againft  patriotifm  are  equally  good 
againft  the  preference  which  natural  inftind  gives 
)arents  for  their  children,  and  furelv  no  one  can 
doubt  of  the  propriety  of  maintaining  this  in  its 
full  force,  fubjed.  however  to  the  precife  laws  of 
juflice. 

But  I  am  in  the  wrong  to  adduce  paternal  or  fi- 
lial affevflion  in  defence  of  patriotifm  and  loyalty, 
hnce  even  thofe  natural  inftimfls  are  reprobated  by 
the  llluminaii^  as  hoflile  to  the  all-comprehending 
philanthropy.  Mr.  de  laMetherie  fays,  that  among 
the  memorials  fenc  from  the  chibs  in  England  to  the 
iSlational  AlTembiy,  he  read  two,  (printed,)  in  which 
the  Affembly  was  requeued  to  ellabiiQi  a  communi- 
ty of  wives,  and  to  take  children  from  their  parents 
and  educate  them  for  the  nation.  In  full  compli- 
ance with  this  didate  of  univerfal  philanthropy, 
Weilhaupt  would  have  murdeied  his  own  child  and 
his  concubine, — and  Orleans  voted  the  deaili  of  his 
near  relation. 

Indeed,  of  all  the  confequences  of  Illumination, 
the  mofl  melancholy  is  this  revolution  which  it  feems 
to  operate  in  the  heart  of  man, — this  forcible  facri- 
fice  of  every  aifertion  of  the  heart  to  an  ideal  divi- 
nity, a  mere  creature  of  the  imagination. — It  feems 
a  prodigy,  ye!  it  is  a  matter  of  experience,  that  the 
farther  we  advance,  or  vainly  fuppofe  that  we  do  ad- 
vance, in  the  knowledge  of  our  mental  powers,  the 
nici  e  are  our  moral  feelings  tlattened  and  done  away. 

1  remember 


CHAP.  iv.  THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION.       '747 

I  remember  reading,  long  ago,  a  difiertaticn  on  f!;e 
nurfing  of  infants  by  a  French  academician,  le 
Cointre  of  Veifaiiles.  He  indelicateiy  fupports  his 
theories  by  the  cafe  of  his  own  ion,  a  weak  puny  in- 
fant, whom  his  mother  was  obliged  to  keep  continu- 
ally applied  to  her  bofom,  fo  that  (he  rarelv  could 
get  two  hours  of  fleep  during  the  time  of  fuckling 
him.  Mr.  Le  Cointre  fays,  that  Ihe  contratfted  for 
this  infant  *'  une  fartiaJite tvutt^-a-fait  dtraijonable" 
•— Plaro,  or  Socrates,  or  Cicero,  would  probably 
have  explained  this  by  the  habitual  exercife  of  pity, 
a  very  endearing  emotion.-— But  our  Academician, 
better  illuminated,  lolves  it  by  ftimuli  on  the  papilla 
and  on  the  nerves  of  the  fkin,  and  by  the  meeting 
of  the  humifying  aura^  Sec.  and  does  not  ieem  to 
think  that  young  Le  Cointre  was  much  indebted  to 
his  mother.  It  would  amufe  me  to  learn  that  this 
was  the  wretch  Le  Cointre,  Major  of  the  National 
Guards  of  Verfailles,  who  countenanced  and  en- 
couraged the  (hocking  treafon  and  barbarity  of  thofe 
ruffians  on  the  5th  and  6th  of  Odober  178^.  Com- 
plete freezing  of  the  heart  would  (I  think)  be  the 
confequence  of  a  theory  which  could  perfectly  ex- 
plain the  affecflions  by  vibrations  or  cryl^allizations. 
— Nay,  any  very  perfecfl  theory  of  moral  lentiments 
muft  have  fomething  of  this  tendency.  —  Perhaps 
the  ancient  fyllems  of  moral  philofophy,  which  weie 
chiefly  fearches  after  \.\\^  Jumrnum  tonum^  and  fyftems 
of  moral  duties,  tended  more  to  form  and  ftrengih- 
cn  the  heart,  and  produce  a  worthy  man,  than  the 
moft  perfed  theory  of  modern  times,  which  explains 
every  phenomenon  by  means  of  a  nice  anatomy  of 
our  aftedions. 

So  far  therefore  as  we  are  really  more  illuminated,, 
it  may  chance  to  give  us  an  eaiier  vidlory  over  the 
natural  or  inftindive  attachments  of  mankind,  and 
make    the  facrifice   to    univerfal    philanthropy  lefs 

coflly 


348  THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION.  CkAP.  Wi 

Goftly  to  the  heart.  I  do  not  however  pretend  to  (aj- 
that  this  is  really  the  cafe  :  but  1  think  myfelf  fully 
warranted  to  fay,  that  increafe  of  virtuous  aftedions 
in  general  has  not  been  the  fruit  of  modern  Illumi- 
nation. I  will  not  again  ficken  the  reader,  by  call- 
ing his  attention  to  Weifliaupt  and  his  afTociales  or 
fuccelVors.  But  let  us  candidly  contemplate  the 
world  around  us,  and  particularly  the  perpetual 
advocates  of  univerfal  philanthropy.  What  have 
been  the  general  effeds  of  their  continual  declama- 
tions ?  Surely  very  melanciioly  ;  nor  can  it  eafily 
be  otherwife. — An  ideal  fiandard  is  continually  re- 
ferred to*  This  is  made  gigantic,  by  being  always 
feen  indiftindly,  as  through  a  mift,  or  rather  a  flut- 
tering air.  In  comparifon  with  this,  every  feeling 
that  we  have  been  accuftomed  to  refped  vanifhes  as 
inlignifjcant  ;  and,  adopting  the  Jefuitical  maxima 
that  "  the  great  end  fanclifies  every  mean,"  this  funi 
of  Cofmo-political  good  is  made  to  eclipfe  or  cover 
all  the  prefent  evils  which  mufi:  be  endured  for  it; 
The  fad  now  is,  that  we  are  become  fo  familiarifed 
with  enormities,  fuch  as  brutality  to  the  weaker  fex^ 
cruelty  to  old  age,  wanton  refinement  on  barbarity^ 
that  we  now  hear  unmoved  accounts  of  fcenes,  froni 
which,  a  few  years  ago,  we  would  have  flirunk  back 
with  horror.  With  cold  hearts,  and  a  metaphyfical 
fcale,  we  meafure  the  prefent  miferies  of  our  fellow 
creatures,  and  compare  them  with  the  accumulated 
miferies  of  former  times,  occafioned  through  a  courfe 
of  ages,  and  afcribed  to  the  ambition  of  Princes.  Iri 
this  artificial  manner  are  the  atrocities  of  France  ex- 
tenuated; and  we  ftruggle,  and  partly  fucceed,  in 
reafoning  ourfelves  out  of  all  the  feelings  which  link 
men  together  in  fociety. — The  ties  of  father,  huf- 
band,  brother,  friend — all  are  abandoned  for  an 
emotion  which  we  muft  even  flrive  to  excite, — uni- 
verfal philanthropy.     But  this  is  fad  perverfion  of 

nature* 


CrtAP.   iv.  THE    FRENCH    REVOLUTION.  ^^g 

nature.  "  He  that  loveth  not  his  brother  whom  he 
*'  hath  feen,  how  can  he  love  God  whom  he  hath  not 
"  feen  r"  Still  lefs  can  he  love  this  ideal  being,  of 
which  he  labours  to  conjure  up  fome  indiftind  and 
fleeting  notion.  It  is  alfo  highly  abfurd  ;  for,  in 
trying  to  colled  the  circumllances  which  conftitute 
the  enjoyments  of  this  Citizen  of  the  World,  we  find 
ourfelves  juft  brought  back  to  the  very  moral  feel- 
ings which  we  are  wantonly  throwing  away.  Weif- 
haupt  allures  us  by  the  happinefs  of  the  patriarchal 
life  as  the /ummum  bonum  of  man.  But  if  it  is  any 
thing  more  than  eating  andfleeping,  and  fquabbling 
with  the  neighbouring  patriarchs,  it  raufl:  confift  in 
the  domeftic  and  neighbourly  affedions,  and  every 
other  agreeable  moral  feeling,  all  which  are  to  be 
had  in  our  prefent  ftate,  in  greater  abundance. 

But  this  is  all  a  pretence  ; — the  wicked  corrupters 
of  mankind  have  no  fuch  views  of  human  felicity, 
nor  would  they  be  contented  with  it ;  they  want  to 
intrigue  and  to  lead ;  and  their  patriarchal  life  an- 
fwers  the  fame  purpofe  of  tickling  the  fancy  as  the 
Arcadia  of  the  poets.  Horace  (hows  the  frivolity  of 
thefe  declamations,  without  formally  enouncing  the 
moral,  in  his  pretty  Ode, 

Beatus  111c  qui  procul  negotiis. 

The  ufurer,  after  expatiating  on  this  Arcadian  feli- 
city, hurries  away  to  change,  and  puts  his  whole 
caili  again  out  to  ufury. 

Equally  ineffective  are  the  declamations  of  Cof- 
mo-politifm  on  a  mind  filled  with  felfifti  pafTions  ; — 
they  jufl;  ferve  it  for  a  fubterfuge. — The  ties  of  or- 
dinary life  are  broken  in  the  firfl:  place,  and  the  Ci- 
tizen of  the  World  is  a  wolf  of  the  defart. 

The  unhappy  confequence  is,  that  the  natural 
progrefs  of  liberty  is  retarded.     Had  this  ignis  fa- 

2  V  tuus 


,35<J  T"l^    FRENCH     REVOLUTION.  CHAP.    1V< 

luus  not  appeared  and  milled  us,  the  improvements 
which  true  Illumination  has  really  produced,  the 
incrrafe  in  fciences  and  arts,  and  the  impioveraent 
in  our  efiimate  of  life  and  happinefs,  would  have 
continued  to  work  hlentiy  and  gradually  in  all  na- 
tions ;  and  thole  which  are  lefs  fortunate  in  point 
of  government  would  alio  have  improved,  by  little 
and  little,  without  lofing  any  fenfible  portion  of  their 
prefent  enjoyments  in  the  pofl'eflion  of  riches,  or 
honours,  or  power.  Thofe  pretenfions  would  gra- 
dually have  come  to  balance  each  other,  and  true 
liberty,  fuch  as  Britons  enjoy,  might  have  taken 
place  over  all. 

Inllead  of  this,  the  inhabitants  of  every  ilate  are 
put  into  a  iituation  where  every  individual  is  alarm- 
ed and  injured  by  the  fuccefs  of  another,  becaufe  all 
pre-eminence  is  criminal.  Therefore  there  mull  be 
perpetual  jealouly  and  ftruggle.  Princes  are  now 
alarmed,  fmce  thev  fee  the  aim  of  the  lower  clafl'es, 
and  they  repent  of  their  former  liberal  concelTions. 
All  parties  maintain  a  fullen  diflance  and  referve  ; 
— the  people  become  unruly,  and  the  lovereign 
hard-hearted  ;  lb  that  liberty,  fuch  as  can  be  enjoyed 
in  peace,  is  banilhed  from  the  country. 

VIII.  When  we  fee  how  eagerly  the  Illuminati 
endeavoured  to  inlinuate  their  Brethren  into  all  of- 
fices which  gave  them  influence  on  the  public  mind, 
and  particularly  into  ieminaries  of  education,  we 
fliould  be  particularly  careful  to  prevent  them,  and 
ought  to  examine  with  anxious  attention  the  manner 
of  thinking  of  all  who  offer  ihemfelves  for  teachers 
of  youth.  There  is  no  part  of  the  fecret  corref- 
pondence  of  Spartacus  and  his  AlTociates,  in  which 
we  fee  moie  varied  and  artful  methods  for  fecuring 
pupils,  than  in  hisown  condud  refpecling  the  ilu- 
dents  in  the  Univerfity,  and  the  injundions  he  gives 
to  others.     There  are  two  men,  Socher  and  Drexl, 

who 


GHAP.  IV.  THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION.  35 1 

who  bad  the  general  infpe(fHon  of  the  fchools  in  the 
Eledorate.  They  are  treated  by  Spartacus  as  perfons 
of  the  greatefl:  confequence,  and  the  inllruvflions 
given  them  flick  at  no  kind  of  corruption.  Wei- 
Ihaupt  is  at  pains,  circuitous  and  mean  arts,  to  in- 
duce young  gentlemen  to  come  under  his  care,  and, 
to  one  whom  he  defcribes  in  another  letter  as  a  little 
mafler  who  mufl  have  much  indulgence,  hecaufes  it 
to  be  intimated,  that  in  the  quarters  where  he  is  to 
be  lodged,  he  will  get  the  key  of  the  flreet-door,  fo 
that  he  can  admit  whom  he  will.  In  all  this  can- 
vafling  he  never  quits  the  great  objed,  the  forming 
the  mind  of  the  young  man  according  to  the  princi- 
ples of  univerfal  Liberty  and  Equality,  and  to  gain 
this  point,  fcruples  not  to  flatter,  aud  even  to  excite 
his  dangerous  paflions.  We  may  be  certain,  that 
the  zeal  of  Cofmo-poiitifm  will  operate  in  the  fame 
way  in  other  men,  and  we  ought  therefore  to  be  fo- 
licitous  to  have  all  that  are  the  inflrudors  of  youth, 
perfons  of  the  mod  decent  manners.  No  queflion 
but  fobriety  and  hypocrify  may  inhabit  the  fame 
breaft.  But  its  immediate  effed  on  the  pupil  is  at 
leafl:  fafe,  and  it  is  always  eafy  for  a  fenfible  parent 
to  reprefent  the  reflridions  laid  on  the  pupil  by 
fuch  a  man  as  the  effecls  of  uncommon  anxietv  for 
his  fafety.  Whereas  there  is  no  cure  for  the  lax 
principles  that  may  Ileal  upon  the  tender  mind  that 
is  not  early  put  on  its  guard.  Weilhaupt  undoubt- 
edly thought  that  the  principles  of  civil  anarchy 
would  be  eafiell  inculcated  on  minds,  that  had  al- 
ready fhaken  off  the  reftraints  of  Religion,  and  en- 
tered into  habits  of  fenfual  indulgence.  We  (hall 
be  fafe  if  we  trufl  his  judgment  in  this  matter. — 
We  fliould  be  particularly  obfervant  of  the  charac- 
ter and  principles  of  Men  of  Talents^  who  offer 
themfelves  for  thefe  offices,  becaufe //?^/r  influence 
niuft  be  very  great.  Indeed  this  anxiety  fliould  ex- 
tend 


352         THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION.     CHAP.  \V . 

tend  to  all  offices  which  in  any  way  give  holders  any 
remarkable  influence  on  the  minds  of  confiderable 
numbers.  Such  Ihould  always  be  filled  bv  men  of 
immaculate  charadersand  approved  principles;  and^ 
in  times  like  the  prefent,  where  the  moft  eflential 
queflions  are  the  fubjecls  of  frequent  difcuiTion,  we 
Ihould  always  conhder  with  fome  diftruft  the  men 
who  are  very  cautious  in  declaring  their  opinions 
on  thefe  queflions. 

It  is  a  great  misfortune  undoubtedly  to  feel  ourr 
feives  in  a  fituation  which  makes  us  damp  the  en- 
joyments of  life  with  fo  much  fufpicion.  But  the 
hiflory  of  mankind  fhows  us  that  many  great  revo- 
lutions have  been  produced  by  remote  and  appa- 
rently frivolous  caufes.  When  things  come  to  a 
height,  it  is  frequently  impoflfible  to  find  a  cure — 
at  any  rate  medicina  Jero  faratur^  and  it  is  much  bet- 
ter to  prevent  the  difeafe — prindpiis  ohjta — venienti 
occurrite  morbo. 

IX.  Nor  can  it  be  faid  that  thefe  are  vain  fears. 
We  knowt^at  the  enemy  is  working  among  us,  and 
that  there  are  many  appearances  in  thefe  kingdoms 
which  ftrongly  refemble  the  contrivance  of  this  dan- 
gerous alTociation.  We  know  that  before  the  Order 
oi  Illuminati  was  broken  up  by  the  Eledor  of  Bava- 
ria, there  were  feveral  Lodges  in  Britain,  and  we 
may  be  certain  that  they  are  not  all  broken  up.  I 
know  that  they  are  not,  and  that  within  thefe  two 
years  fome  Lodges  were  ignorant  or  affected  to  be 
fo,  of  the  corrupted  principles  and  dangerous  defigns 
of  the  Illuminati.  The  conflitution  of  the  Order 
fliews  that  this  may  be,  for  the  Lodges  themfelves 
were  illuminated  by  degrees.  But  I  mufl:  remark, 
that  we  can  hardly  fuppofe  a  Lodge  to  be  eftabliihed 
in  any  place,  unlefs  there  be  fome  very  zealous  Bro- 
ther at  hand  to  inlirud  and  direct  it.  And  I  think 
that  a  perfon  can  hardly  be   advanced  as  far  as  the 

rank 


CHAP.   iv.  THE    FRENCH    REVOLUTION.  353 

rank  of  Scotch  Knight  of  the  Order,  and  be  a  fafe 
man  either  for  our  Church  or  State.  I  am  very  well 
int'ormed,  that  there  are  feveral  thoufands  of  fubfcrib- 
ing  Brethren  in  London  alone,  and  we  can  hardly 
doubt,  but  that  many  of  that  number  are  well  advan- 
ced. The  vocabulary  alfo  of  the  Illuminati  is  cur- 
rent in  certain  focieties  among  us.  Thefe  focieties 
have  taken  the  very  name  and  conftitution  of  the 
French   and   German  focieties.      Correfponding— 

Affiliated — Provincial — Refcript — Convention 

Reading  Societies—  Citizen  of  the  World — Liberty 
and  Equality,  the  Imprefcriptible  Rights  of  Man, 
^c.  &CC.  And  mull:  it  not  be  acknowledged  that  our 
public  arbiters  of  literary  merit  have  greatly  chang- 
ed their  manner  of  treatment  of  Theological  and  po- 
litical writings  of  late  years?  Till  Paine's  Age  of 
Reafon  appeared,  the  moft  fceptical  writings  of  Eng- 
land kept  within  the  bounds  of  decency  and  of  argu- 
ment, and  we  have  not,  in  the  courfe  of  two  centu- 
ries, one  piece  that  (hould  be  compared  with  many 
of  the  blackguard  produdions  of  the  German  prelTes. 
Vet  even  thofe  performances  generally  met  with 
Iharp  reproof  as  well  as  judicious  refutation.  This 
is  a  tribute  of  commendation  to  which  my  country 
is  moft  jufllv  entitled.  In  a  former  part  of  my  life 
I  was  pretty  converfant  in  writings  of  this  kind,  and 
have  feen  almoft  every  Englifh  performance  of  note. 
I  cannot  exprefs  the  furprife  and  difguft  which  I  felt 
at  the  number  and  the  grofs  indecency  of  the  German 
differtations  which  have  come  in  my  way  fmce  I  be- 
gan this  little  hiftory, — and  many  of  the  titles  which 
I  obferve  in  the  Leipzig  catalogues  are  fuch  as  I 
think  no  Britifh  writer  would  make  ufe  of.  I  am 
told  that  the  licentioufnefs  of  the  prefs  has  been 
equally  remarkable  in  France,  even  before  the  Re- 
volution.— May  this  fenfe  of  propriety  and  decen- 
cy long  continue  to  proted  us,  and  fupport  the  na- 
tional 


354  "^"^    FRENCH    REVOLUTION.  CHAP,  iv. 

tional  charadler  for  real  good  breeding,  as  our  at- 
tainments in  manly  fcience  have  hitherto  gained 
us  the  relpe£t:  of  the  furrounding  nations  ! 

I  cannot  help  thinking  that  Britifli  fentiment, 
or  Britifh  delicacy,  is  changed  ;  for  Paine's  book 
is  treated  by  moil  of  our  Reviewers  with  an  af- 
fcdled  liberality  and  candour,  and  is  laid  before 
the  public  as  quite  new  matter,  and  a  fair  field  for 
difcuiTion — and  it  (Irikcs  me  as  if  our  critics  were 
more  careful  to  let  no  fault  of  his  opponents  pafs 
unnoticed  than  toexpofe  the  futility  and  rudenefs 
of  this  indelicate  writer.  In  the  reviews  of  poH- 
tical  writings  we  fee  few  of  thofe  kind  endeavours, 
which  real  love  for  our  conftitutional  government 
would  induce  a  writer  to  employ  in  order  to  Icf- 
fen  the  fretful  difcontents  of  the  people  ;  and 
there  is  frequently  betrayed  a  fatisfadtion  at  find- 
ing adminiftration  in  ftraits,  either  through  mil- 
conduct  or  misfortune.  Real  love  for  our  coun- 
try and  its  governnjent  would  (1  think)  induce  a 
perfon  to  mix  with  his  criticifms  fome  fentiments 
of  fympathy  with  the  embarraflment  of  a  minifler 
loaded  with  the  bufmefs  of  a  great  nation,  in  a  fi- 
tuation  never  before  experienced  by  any  minifter. 
The  critic  would  recollect  that  the  minifter  was  a 
man,  fubjedl  to  error,  but  not  neceiTavily  nor  alto- 
gether bafe.  But  it  feemsto  be  an  aOumcd  prin- 
ciple witii  fome  of  our  political  writers  and  re- 
viewers that  government  muftialways  be  in  fault, 
and  that  every  thing  needs  a  reform.  Such  were 
the  beginnings  on  the  continent,  and  we  cannot 
doubt  but  that  attempts  are  made  to  influence 
the  public  mind  in  this  country,  in  the  very  way 
that  has  been  praftifed  abroad. — Nay, 

X.  The  deteftablc  doctrines  of  lUuminatilfm 
have  been  openly  preached  among  us.  Has  not 
Dr.  PrieiUey  faid,  (i  think  in  one  of  his  letters  on 

the 


CHAP.   IV.  THE    FRENCH    REVOLUTION.  355 

the  Birmingham  riots,)  "  That  if  the  condition  of 
"  other  natiojis  be  as  much  improved  as  that  of 
France  will  be  by  the  change  in  her  fyftem  of 
government,  the  great  crifis,  dreadful  as  it  may 


*'  appear,  will  be  a  confummation  devoutly  to  be 
"  wifhed  for  ;— and  though  calamitous  to  many, 


perhaps  to  many  innocent  perfons,  will  be  even- 
tually glorious  and  happy  ?" — Is  not  this  equi- 
valent to  Spartacus  faying,  '*  True — there  will  be 
*'  a  ftorm,  a  convulfion — but  all  will  be  calm 
"  again  ?" — Does  Dr.  Prieftley  think  that  the  Bri- 
tifli  will  part  more  caliily  than  their  neighbours  in 
France  with  their  property  and  honours,  fecured 
by  ages  of  peaceable  poifeli'ion,  protected  by  law, 
and  acquiefced  in  by  all  who  wifh  and  hope  that 
their  own  defcendants  may  reap  the  fruits  of  their 
honeil  induftry  ? — Will  they  make  a  lefs  manly 
ftruggle  ? — Are  they  Icfs  numerous  ? — Mull  his 
friends,  his  patrons,  whom  he  has  thanked,  and 
praifed,  and  flattered,  yield  up  all  peaceably,  or 
fall  in  the  general  ftruggle  ?  This  writer  has  al- 
ready given  the  moft  promifing  fpecimens  of  his 
own  docility  in  the  principles  of  Illuminatifm,  and 
has  already  palTed  through  feveral  degrees  of  ini- 
tiation. He  has  refined  and  refined  on  Chrifti- 
anity,  and  boafts,  like  another  Spartacus,  that  he 
has,  at  laft,  hit  on  the  true  fecret. — Has  he  not 
been  preparing  the  minds  of  his  readers  for  Athe- 
ilm  by  his  theory  of  mind,  and  by  his  commen- 
tary on  the  unmeaning  jargon  of  Dr.  Hartley  ? 
1  call  it  unmeaning  jargon,  that  I  may  avoid  giv- 
ing it  a  more  appofite  and  difgraceful  name. 
For,  if  intelligence  and  defign  be  nothing  but  a 
certain  modification  of  the  vibratiimcuht  or  un- 
dulations of  any  kind,  what  is  ibpreme  intelli- 
gence, but  a  more  extenfive,  and  (perhaps  they 
will  call  it)  refined  undulation,  pervading  or  mix- 


tHE    FRENCH    REVOLUTIOI^J.  CHAP,   iv* 

ing  vvith  all  others  ?  Indeed  it  is  in  this  very  man- 
ner that  the  univerfal  operation  of  intelligence  is 
pretended    to  be  explained.     As  any  new  or  par- 
tial undulation  may  be  (uperinduced  on  any  other 
already  exilling,  and  this  without  the  leaft  difturb- 
ance  or  confufion,    fo  may  the  inferior  intelligen- 
ces in    the  univerfe  be  only  fuperinduftions  on  the 
operations  of  this  fupreme  intelligence  which  per  • 
vadcsthern  all,— And  thus  an  undulation  (of  what? 
lurely  of  fomething  prior  to   and    independent  of 
this  modification)  is  the  caufe  of  all  the  beings  in 
the  univerfe,  and  of  all  the  harmony  and  beauty 
that  we  obferve, — And  this  undulation  is    the  ob- 
ject of  love,  and  gratitude,   and  confidence  (that 
is,  of  other  kinds    of  undulations.) — Fortunately 
all  this  has  no  meaning. — Butfurely,  if  any  thing 
can    tend    to  diminifli  the  force   of  our  religious 
fentiments,  and  make  all  Dr.  Prieftley's  difcoveries 
in  Chriftianity  infignificant,  this  will  do  it. 

Were  it  polTible  for  the  departed  foul  of  New- 
ton to  feel  pain,  he  would  furely  recollect  with  re- 
gret that  unhappy  hour,  when  provoked  by  Dr. 
Hooke's  charge  of  plagiarifm,  he  firft  threw  out  his 
whim  of  a  vibrating  ether,  to  fliew  what  might  be 
made  of  an  hypothefis. — For  Sir  Ifaac  Newton  muft 
be  allowed  to  have  paved  the  way  for  much  of  the 
atomical  philofophy  of  the  moderns.  Newton's 
aether  is  afllimed  as  a  fac  totiim  by  every  precipitate 
fciolifl:,  who,  in  defpite  of  logic,  and  in  contradic- 
tion to  all  the  principles  of  mechanics,  gives  us  the- 
ories of  mufcular  motion,  of  gnimal  fenfation,  and 
even  of  intelligence' and  volition,  by  the  undula- 
tions of  3Etherial  fluids.  Not  one  of  a  hundred  of 
thefe  theorills  can  go  through  the  fundamental  theo- 
rem of  all  this  dodrine,  the  47th  prop,  of  the  2d 
book  of  the  Principia,  and  not  one  in  a  thoufand 
know  that  Newton's  invefiigation  is  inconclufive. — 

Yet 


Chap.  iv.  trit  french  revolution^  357 

Yet  they  talk  oftlie  effects  and  modifications  ofihofe  un- 
diiiati(;ns  2S  facniliarly  andconfidentiy  asif  they  could 
demonflrate  the  piopoluions  in  Euclid's  Elements. 

Yet  fach  is  the  reafon  that  fatisfies  D;-.  Prieftly. — ■ 
But  I  do  riot  fuppole  tliat  he  has  yet  attained  his  acme 
of  Illumination.  His  genius'  has  been  cramped  by 
BritiOi  prejudices. — Thefe  need  not  Ivvay  his  mind 
any  longer.  He  is  now  in  that  "•  rai'd  temporis  {^ct 
'■'•  loci)  jF^Hcitate^  uhi  fenttre  qu,e  veils ^  et  qu.^Jtntias 
"  diccve  Licet" — in  the  country  which  was  honour- 
ed by  giving  the  world  the  firil:  avowed  edition  of  the 
Age  of  Reajon,  with  the  name  of  the  fliop  and  pub- 
iilher.  I  make  no  doubt  but  that  his  m.ind  will  now 
take  a  higher  tiight, — and  we  may  expedl  to  fee  him 
fire  "  that  train  by  which  he  boalled  that  he  would 
*'  blow  up  the  religious  eftablidiment  of  his  flupid 
'^  and  enllaved  native  country." — Peace  be  with 
him. — But  I  grieve  that  he  has  left  any  of  his  friends 
and  abettors  among  lis,  who  declaim,  in  the  molt 
violent  and  unqualified  terms,  againft  all  national 
Eflabiifhments  of  Religion,  and  in  no  friendly 
terms  of  any  eftablifhments  which  maintainor  allow 
any  privileged  Orders.  Difcanting  much  on  fuch 
topics  increafes  the  dilTatisfaulion  of  the  lefs  fortu- 
nate part  of  mankind,  Vv-ho  naturally  repine  at  ad- 
vantages which  do  not  ariie  from  the  perional  merit 
of  the  poffeiTor,  although  they  are  the  natural  and 
necelTary  fruits  of  merit  in  tlis'ir  anceflors,  and  of 
the  jufiice  and  fecurity  of  our  happy  Conllitution. 
Kg  well  informed  and  fenfible  man  will  deny  that 
the  greateft  injury  was  done  to  pure  Religion  when 
Conilantine  declared  Chrillianity  to  be  ihe  Religion 
of  the  Empire,  and  veiled  the  Church  v/ith  all  the  rich- 
es and  power  ot  the  Heathen  Priefthood.  But  it  is  falfe 
that  this  wasthe  fourceof  all  orof  theworllcorruption;i 
of  Chrillianity.  The  rnerefl:  novice  in  Church  Hiftory 
knows  that  the  errors  of  the  Gnoftics,  of  the  Cerin- 

2  X  thians. 


3,53  THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION.         CHAP.  IV. 

tbians,  and  others,  long  preceded  this  event,  arid 
that  thoulands  loft  their  lives  in  thofe  raetaphyfical 
dirputes.  But  I  cannot  help  thinking  that,  in  the 
prefent  condition  of  Europe,  religion  would  defert 
the  world,  iF  the  opinions  of  men  were  not  direct- 
ed, in  fome  proper  degree,  by  National  Eftablifli- 
nients.  Teachers  among  the  Independents  will 
court  popularity,  as  they  have  always  courted  it ;  by 
foftering  fome  favourite  and  difcriminating  opinion 
of  their  hearers.  The  old  fubjeds  of  debate  have 
now  foft  their  zeft,  and  I  fliould  fear  that  the  teach- 
ers would  find  it  a  fuccefsful,  as  it  is  an  eafy  road  to 
popularity,  to  lead  their  hearers  through  a  feries  of 
refinements,  till  they  are  landed,  much  to  their  fa- 
tisfaclion,  in  the  Materialifm  of  Dr.  Prieftley,  from 
which  it  is  but  a  ftep  to  the  Atheifm  of  Diderot  and 
Condorcet. 

Seeing  that  there  are  fuch  grounds  of  apprehen- 
fion,  I  think  that  we  have  caufe  to  be  upon  our 
guard,  and  that  every  man  who  has  enjoyed  the 
fweets  of  Britidi  liberty  fliould  be  very  anxious  in- 
deed to  preferve  it.  We  ihould  dilcourage  all  fe- 
cret  alTemblies,  which  afford  opportunities  to  the 
difaffeded,  and  all  converfations  which  fofter  any 
notions  of  political  perfeclion,  and  create  hanker- 
ings after  unattainable  happinefs.  Thefe  only  in- 
creafe  the  difcontents  of  the  unfortunate,  the  idle, 
and  the  worthlefs. — Above  all,  we  fliould  be  careful 
to  difcourage  and  check  immorality  and  licentiouf- 
iiefs  in  every  fhape.  For  this  will  of  itfelf  fubvert 
every  government,  and  will  fubjed.  us  to  the  vile 
tyranny  of  a  profligate  mob. 

XI.  If  there  has  ever  been  a  feafon  in  which  it 
was  proper  to  call  upon  the  public  inflrudors  of  the 
nation  to  exert  theaifelves  in  the  caufe  of  Religion 
and  Virtue,  it  is  furely  the  prefent.  It  appears, 
from  the  tenor  of  the  whole  narration  before  the 

reader, 


CHAP.   iv.  THE    FRENCH    REVOLUTION.  359 

reader,  that  Religion  and  Virtue  arc  confidered  as 
tlie  great  obllacles  to  the  completion  of  this  plan 
for  overturning  the  governments  of  Europe— and 
I  hope  that  I  liave  made  it  evident  that  thofe  con- 
fpirators  have  prefuppofed  that  there  is  deeply- 
rooted  in  the  heart  of  man  a  fincere  veneration 
for  unfophifticated  virtue,  and  an  affeftionate  pro- 
penfity  to  Religion  ;  that  is,  to  confider  this  beau- 
tiful world  as  the  production  of  wifdom  and  pow- 
er, refiding  in  a  Being  different  from  the  world 
itfelf,  and  the  natural  object  of  admiration  and  of 
love  — I  do  not  fpeak  of  the  truth  of  this  princi- 
ple at  prefcnt,  but  only  of  its  reality,  as  an  im- 
prcflion  on  the  heart  of  man,  Thefe  principles 
muft  therefore  be  worked  on, — and  they  are  ac- 
knowledged to  be  ftrong,  becaufe  much  art  is  em- 
ployed to  eradicate  them,  or  to  overwhelm  them 
by  other  pov/erful  agents. — We  alfo  fee  that  Re- 
ligion and  Virtue  are  confidered  by  thole  corrupt- 
ers as  clofely  united,  and  as  mutually  fupporting 
each  other.  This  they  admit  as  a  faft,  and  la- 
bour to  prove  it  to  be  a  miftake. — And  iallly,  they 
entertain  no  hopes  of  complete  fuccefs  till  they 
have  exploded  both. 

This  being  the  cafe,  I  hope  that  I  (liall  be  clear 
of  all  charge  of  impropriety,  when  I  addrefsour 
national  inilrudors,  and  earncfily  deiire  them  to 
confider  this  caufe  as  peculiarly  theirs.  The  world 
has   been    corrupted   under  pretence  of  moral  in- 

ftruction. Backwardnefs,  therefore,   on    their 

part,  may  do  inconceivable  harm,  becaufe  it  will 
mod  certainly  be  interpreted  as  an  acknowledg- 
ment of  defeat,  and  they  will  be  accufed  of  in- 
difference and  infincerity.  I  know  that  a  modeft 
man  reluctantly  comes  forward  with  any  thing 
that  has  the  appearance  of  thinking  himfelf  wifer 
or  better  than    his  neighbours.     But  if  all  are  fo 

baftiful 


360  THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION.      CHAP.  Iv. 

baOiful,  where  will  it  end  ?  Mufl:  we  allow  a  parcel 
of  wovthlefs  profligates,  whom  no  mun  wouldxruli 
with  the  i^ian.^'^ement  of  the  moil  trifling  concern, 
to  pafs  wiili  the  ignorant  and  indolent  for  teachers 
of  true  wifdom,  and  thus  entice  the  whole  woild 
into  a  trap  V  They  have  fucceeded  with  our  unfor- 
tunate neighbours  on  the  continent,  and,  in  Ger- 
many, (to  their  ihame  be  it  fpoken)  they  have  been 
afliiled  even  by  fome  faithlefs  clergymen. 

But  I  will  hope  bettPr  of  my  countrymen,  and  I 
think  that  our  clergy  have  encouragement  even  from 
the  native  character  of  Britons.  National  compari- 
fons  are  indeed  ungraceful,  and  are  rarely  candid — 
but  I  think  they  may  be  indulged  in  this  inllance. 
It  is  of  his  own  countrymen  that  Voltaire  i'peaks, 
when  he  fays,  that  "  th.ey  refemble  a  mixed  breed 
"  of  the  monkey  and  the  tiger,"  animals  that  n.ix 
fun  with  raifch'.ef,  and  that  fport  with  the  torments 
of  their  prey. —  Ihey  have  indeed  given  the  moft 
(hocking  proofs  of  the  jullnefs  of  his  portrait.  It  is 
with  a  confiderable  degree  of  national  pride,  there- 
fore, that  I  compare  the  behaviour  of  the  French 
with  that  of  the  Britilli  in  a  very  fimilar  fituation, 
during  the  civil  wars  and  the  ufurpation  of  Crom- 
well. There  have  been  more  numerous,  and  in- 
finitely more  atrocious,  crimes  ccmmitted  in  France 
during  any  one  half  year  fmce  the  beginning  of  the 
Revolution,  than  during  the  whole  of  that  tumultu- 
ous period.  And  it  (liould  be  remembered,  that  in 
Britain,  at  that  period,  to  all  other  grounds  of  dif- 
content  was  added  no  fmall  fliare  of  relic ious  fanati- 

o 

cifm,  a  palfion  (may  I  call  it)  which  feldom  fails  to 
Toufe  every  ang^y  thouglit  of  the  heart. — Much  may 
be  hoped  for  from  an  earned  and  judicious  addreis 
to  ihjt  rich  fund  of  manly  kindnefs  that  isconfpicu- 
ous  in  the  BriliOi  chara..^er, — a  fund  to  whicii  I  sm 
perfuaded  we  owe  the  excellence  of  our  conflitulion- 

a  I 


CHAP.  iv.     THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION.  361 

al  governiuent— No  where  elfe  in  Europe  are  the 
claims  of  the  dilTerent  ranks  in  fociety  fo  generally 
and  fo  candidly  admitted.  All  feel  llieir  force,  and 
all  allow  them  to  others.    Kence  ittiappens  that  they 

are  enjoyed  in  fo   much  peace hence  it  happens 

that  the  gentry  live  among  the  yeomen  and  farmers 
with  fo  eyfy  and  familiar  a  fuperiorily  : 

-Exiri'ina  per  illos 


jfufiitia  excedcns  terns  vejl'ig'ia  fecit. 

Our  clergy  are  alfo  well  prepared  for  the  tafk. 
For  our  anceflors  diiteved  exceedingly  from  the  pre- 
fent  Illuiiiinators  in  their  notions,  and  have  enaded 
that  the  cler^v  fiiall  be  well  intruded  in  natural 
philofophy,  judging  that  a  knowledge  cf  the  fym- 
metry  of  nature,  and  the  beautiful  adjuftroent  of  all 
her'  operations,  would  produce  2  firm  belief  cf  a 
wifdom  and  power  which  is  the  fource  of  all  this 
fair  order,  the  Author  and  Condudor  of  all,  and 
therefore  the  natural  objed  of  admiration  and  of 
love.  A  good  heart  is  open  to  this  irapreiTion,  and 
feels  no  reludance,  but  on  the  contrary  a  pleafure, 
in  thinking  man  the  fubjecl  of  his  government,  and 
the  objed  of  his  care.  This  point  being  once  gain- 
ed, I  fliould  think  that  the  falutary  truths  of  Reli- 
gion will  be  highly  welcome.  I  (hould  think  that 
it  will  be  eafv  to  convince  fuch  minds,  that  in 
the  midn  of  the  iramenfe  variety  of  the  works  of 
God  there  is  one  great  plan  to  which  every  thing 
feeras  to  refer,  namely,  the  crowding  this  world, 
to  the  utmofl  degree  of  polTibility,  with  life,  with 
beings  that  enjoy  the  things  around  ihem,  each  in 
its  own  degree  and  manner.  Among  thefe,  man 
makes  a  moil  confpicuous  figure,  and  the  maxi- 
mum of  his  enjoyments  feems  a  capital  article  in  the 
ways  of  Prpvidence.  It  will,  I  think,  require  little 
trouble  to  ftievv?  that  the  natural  didates  of  Religion, 
or  the  immediate  refults  of  the  belief  of  God's  mo- 
ral 


3^2  THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION.  CHAP.   iv. 

ral  government  of  the  unlverfe,  coincide  in  every 
circumflance  of  fentiment,  clifpofition,  and  condu(f}, 
with  ihofe  that  are  mod:  productive  of  enjoynient 
(on  the  whole)  in  fecial  life.  The  fame  train  of 
thought  will  (hew,  that  the  real  improvements  in 
the  pleafures  of  fociety,  are,  in  faifl,  improvements 
of  man's  rational  nature,  and  fo  many  fteps  toward 
that  perfeclion  which  our  own  confciences  tell  us  we 
are  capable  of,  and  which  Religion  encourages  us  to 

hope  for  in  another  flate  of  being. And  thus  will 

"  the  ways  of  Wifdom  appear  to  be  v^ays  of  plea- 
*■   fantnefs,  and  all  her  paths  to  be  peace." 

Dwelling  on  fuch  topics,  there  is  no  occafion  for 
any  political  difcuflion.  This  would  be  equally  im- 
proper and  hurtful.  Such  difcuflions  never  fail  to 
produce  ill-humour. — But  furely  the  highefl:  com- 
placence rauft  refult  from  the  thought  that  we  are 
co-operating  with  the  Author  of  all  wifdcm  and 
goodnefs,  and  helping  forward  the  favourite  plans  of 
his  providence.  Such  a  thought  mufl;  elevate  the 
mind  which  thus  recognifes  a  fort  of  alliance  with 
the  Author  of  nature. — Our  brethren  in  fociety  ap- 
pear brethren  indeed,  heirs  of  the  fame  hopes,  and 
travelling  to  the  fame  country.  This  will  be  a  fort 
of  moral  patriotifm,  and  fliould,  I  think,  produce 
mutual  forbearance,  iince  we  difcover  imperfections 
in  all  creatures,  and  are  confcious  of  them  in  our- 
felves — notwithflanding  which,  we  hope  to  be  all 
equal  at  laft  in  worth  and  in  happinefs. 

I  fhould  gladly  hope  that  I  (hall  not  be  accufed  of 
prefumption  in  this  addrefs.  There  is  no  profeflion 
that  I  more  iincerely  refped  than  that  of  the  reli- 
gious and  moral  inflruclor  of  my  country.  I  am 
faying  nothing  here  that  I  am  not  accufiomed  to 
urge  at  much  greater  length  in  the  courfeof  my  pro- 
feffional  duty.  And  I  do  not  think  that  I  am  juflly 
chargeable  with  vanity,  when  I  fuppofe  that  manv 
years  of  deli2,htful  fiudy   of  the  works  of  God  have 

given 


Chap.  iv.         the  fRench  Revolution.  3^3 

given  me  fomewhat  more  acquaintance  with  them 
than  is  probably  attained  by  thofe  who  never  think 
of  the  matter,  being  continually  engaged  in  the 
buftle  of  life.  Should  one  of  this  defcription  fay- 
that  all  is  fate  or  chance,  and  that  ''  the  fame  thing 
*'  happens  to  all,"  &c.  as  is  but  too  common,  I 
fhould  think  that  a  prudent  man  will  give  fo  much 
preference  to  my  ahertion,  as  at  leaii  to  think  feri- 
oufly  about  the  thing,  before  he  allow  himfelf  any 
indulgence    in    things  Vi^hich    1  affirm  to  be  highly 

dangerous  to  his  future  peace  and  happinefs. For 

this  reafon  1  hope  not  to  be  accufed  of  going  out  of 
my  line,  nor  hear  any  one  fay  '■'•  N^  fiitor  ultra  cre- 
"  pidamJ"  Theprefent  is  a  ieafon  of  anxiety,  and 
it  is  the  duty  of  every  man  to  contribute  his  mite  to 
the  general  good. 

It  is  in  fome  fuch  hopes  that  I  have  written  thefe 
pages  ;  and  if  they  have  any  fuch  effed,  I  {hall 
think  myfelf  fortunate  in  having  by  chance  hit  on 
fomething  ufefui,  when  I  was  only  trying  to  amufe* 
myfelf  during  the  tedious  hours  of  bad  health  and 
confinement.  No  perfon  is  more  fenfible  of  the 
many  imperfedions  of  this  performance  than  my- 
felf. But,  as  I  have  no  motive  for  the  publicntion 
but  the  hopes  of  doing  fome  good,  I  trufi  that  I  fhall 
obtain  a  favourable  acceptance  of  my  endeavours 
from  an  intelligent,  a  candid,  and  a  good-natured 
public.  I  murt  entreat  that  it  be  remembered  that 
thefe  fhects  arc  not  the  work  of  an  author  deter- 
mined to  write  a  book.  They  \yere  for  the  mofc 
part  notes,  which  I  took  from  books  I  had  borrowed, 
that  I  might  occaiionally  have  recourfe  to  them 
when  occupied  with  Free  Mafonrv,  the  firfl  objeCl 
of  my  cnriofity.  My  curiofity  was  diverted  to  ma- 
ny other  things  as  I  went  along,  and  when  the  li- 
luminati  came  in  my  way,  I  regretted  the  time  I 
had  thrown  away  on  Free  Mafonry.-— But,  obferving 

their 


r» 


64         TflE  i^-RENCH  REVOLUTION.  CHaP.  iv« 


their  connection,  I  thought  that  I  perceived  the 
pvogrefs  of  one  and  tlie  'ame  del'ign.  'I'iiis  made 
me  eager  to  find  out  any  remains  of  Wedhaupt's 
AlTocsation.  I  was  not  fnrprized  when  I  law  marks 
of  its  interference  in  the  French  Revohition. — In 
hunting  for  clearer  proofs  I  found  out  the  German 
Union — and,  in  fine,  the  whole  appeared  to  be  one 
great  and  wicked  project,  fermenting  and  working 
over  all  Europe.— Some  highly  refpeded  frier.ds 
encouraged  me  in  the  hope  of  doing  fome  fervice  by 
laying  my  informations  before  the  public,  and  faid 
that  no  time  ihould  be  loll:. — I  therefore  let  about 
colleding  mv  fcattered  fads. — I  undertook  this  tafk 
at  a  time  when  my  official  duty  prelTed  hard  on  me, 
and  bad  health  made  me  very  unfit  for  fludy.— The 
effecls  of  this  mull  appear  in  many  faults,  which  I 
fee,  without  being  able  at  prefent  to  amend  them.  I 
owe  this  apology  to  the  public,  and  I  truft  that  my 
good  intentions  will  procure  it  acceptance*. 

Nothing 

*  "While  the  fheet  commencing  p.  341  was  printing  off,  I  got 
a  fight  of  a  work  publifhed  in  Paris  laft  year  entitled  La  CofijurO' 
ilon  d'Orleans.  It  confirms  all  that  I  have  faid  refpefting  the  ufe 
made  of  the  Free  Mafon  Lodges. — it  gives  a  particular  aecount 
of  the  farmati  n  of  the  Jacobin  Club,  by  the  Club  Breton.  This 
laft  appears  to  have  been  the  Aflbciation  formed  with  the  afllftance 
of  the  German  deputies.  The  Jacobin  Chib  had  feveral  com- 
mittees, finiilar  to  thofe  of  the  National  Affembly.  Amo  g 
others,  it  had  a  Committee  of  Enquiry  and  Correfpondence, 
whofe  bufinefs  it  was  to  gain  partizans,  to  difcover  enemies,  to 
decide  on  the  merits  of  the  Brethren,  and  to  form  fimilar  Clubs 
in  other  places. 

The  author  of  the  above-mentioned  work  writes  as  follows, 
(vol.  iii.  p.  19.)  We  may  judge  of  what  the  D.  of  Orleans 
could  do  in  other  places,  by  wliat  he  did  during  his  ftay  in  Eng- 
land. During  his  ftay  in  London,  he  gained  over  to  his  intereft 
Lord  Stanhope  and  Dr.  Price,  two  of  the  moft  refpeftablc 
members  of  the  Revolulion   Society.     This  Society  had  no  other 

objcd. 


CHAP.  ly.  THE    FRENCH    REVOLUTION.  365 

Nothing  would  g.ive  me  more  fmcere  pleafure  than 
to  fee  the  whole  proved  to  be  a  miftake ; — to  be 
convinced  that  there  is  no  fuch  plot,  and  that  we 
run  no  rifk  of  the  contagion  ;  but  that  Britain  will 
continue,  by  the  abiding  prevalence  of  honour,  of 
virtue,  and  of  true  religion,  to  exhibit  the  faireft 
fpecimen  of  civil  government  that  ever  was  feen  on 
earth,  and  a  national  character  and  condud  not  un- 
worthy of  the  ineilimabie  bieilings  that  we  enjoy. 
Our  excellent  Sovereign,  at  his  acceflion  to  the 
throne,  declared  to  his  Parliament  that  he  gloried 

IN  HAVING  been     BORN     A     BrjtON.— Would  tO    God 

that 


objeft   (it  faid)   but  to   fupport  the  Revolution,  which  had  dri- 
ven James  II.  from  the  throne  of  his  anceftors. 

Orleans  made  of  this  aflbciation  a  true  Jacobin  Club. — It  en- 
tered into  correfpondence  with  the  Committee  of  Enquiry  of  our 
Commune,  with  the  fame  Committee  of  our  Jacobin  Club,  and 
at  laft  with  our  National  Aflembly.  It  even  fent  to  the  Affem- 
bly  an  oftenfible  letter,  in  which  we  may  fee  the  following  pafTages  : 

"  The  Society  congratulate  the  National  Aflembly  of  France 
"  on  the  Revolution  which  has  taken  place  in  that  country.  It 
**  cannot  but  earneftly  wifh  for  the  happy  conclufion  of  fo  im- 
"  portant  a  Revolution,  aiW,  at  the  fame  time,  exprefs  the  ex- 
*'  treme  fatisfaftion  which  it  feels  in  refledling  on  the  glorious 
*'  example  which  France  has  given  to  the  world."  (The  Reader 
will  remark,  that  in  this  example  are  contained  all  the  horrors 
which  had  been  exhibited  in  France  before  the  month  of  March 
1790  ;  and  that  before  this  time,  the  condudl  of  the  Duke  of 
Orleans  on  the  5th  and  6th  of  October  1789,  with  all  the  Shock- 
ing atrocities  of  thofe  days,  were  fully  known  in  England.) 

"  The  Society  refolves  unanimoufly  to  invite  all  the  people  of 
*'  England  to  eftablifli  Societies  through  the  kingdom,  to  fupport 
"  the  pi'/nciples  of  the  Revolution,  to  form  correfpondence  be- 
*'  tween  themfelves,  and  by  thefe  means  to  eftablifh  a  great  con- 
*'  certed  Union  of  all  the  trueFriends  of  Liberty." 

Accordingly  (fays  the  French  author)  this  Was  executed,  and 
Jacobin  Clubs  were  eftabliflied  in  feveral  cities  of  England,  Scot- 
land, and  Ireland.  2  Y 


366      THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION.   CHAP.  IV. 

t'nat  all  and  each  of  bis  fubjeds  kad  entertained  the 
ianie  lofty  notions  of  this  good  fortune  !  Then 
would  they  have  laboured,  as  he  has  done  for  near 
forty  years,  to  fupport  the  honour  of  the  Britilh 
name  bv  fctting  as  bright  an  example  of  domeflic 
and  of  public  virtue. — Then  would  Britons  have 
been  indeed  the  boall:  of  humanity — then  we  fhould 
have  viewed  thefe  wicked  plots  of  our  neighbours 
with  a  fmile  of  contempt,  and  of  lincere  pity— and 
there  would  have  been  no  need  of  this  impeifed 
but  well-meant  performance. 


[     36?     ] 

Pojifcript. 


A 


LTHOUGH  I  faw  no  reafon  to  doubt  of  the 
validity  of  the  proofs  which  I  have  offered  in  the 
preceding    pages,    of   a     confpiracy    againft   the 
deareft  interefls  of  every  nation   of  Europe,  nor 
of  the  importance  of  the  information  to  my  own 
countrymen,  it    gives   me    great    fatisfaftion   to 
learn   that  it  has   been  received  witli   favour  and 
indulgence.     This  I  may  conclude  from  the  im- 
preffion's  being  exhaufted  in  a  few  days,  and  be- 
caufe    the  publidier  informs  me  that  another  edi- 
tion is  wanted   immediately.      I  could  have  wifli- 
ed   that  this  were  deferred  for  fome  time,  that  I 
might  have  availed  myfelf  of  the  obiervations  of 
others,  and  be   enabled   to    correct   the   miftakes 
into  which   I  have  been  led  by  my  fcanty  know- 
ledge  of  the  German  langua^7;e,  and  the  miftakes 
of  the  writers  from  whom  I  derived  all    my  in- 
formations.    I  fliould,  in  that  cafe,  have  attempt- 
ed to  make   the  work  more  worthy  of  the  public 
eye,    by    correcting    many  imperfedtions,  v;hich 
the  continual   diftradtion  of  bad   health,   and  my 
hafte  to  bring  it  before  the  public,  have  occafion- 
ed.     I  flioLi-ld  have  made  the  difpofition  more  na- 
tural and  pcrfpicuoiis,   and  have  lopped  oft  fome 
redundances  and  repetitions.     But  the  printer  tells 
me,  that  this  woidd  greatly  retard  the  publication, 
by    changing    the    feries   of  the   pages.     At   any 
rate,  I  am  not  at  prefentin  a  condition  to  engage 
in  any  work  that  requires  difpatch.      I  mull  yield 
therefore    to    thofe    reafons,  and    content  myfelf 
with  fuch  corre£lions  as  can  be  made  immediately. 
I    have   found,     after   minute    enquiry,  that    I 
was  miftaken  as    to   the  expreilion  of  an  eminent 

follower 


68  POSTCRIl'T. 


follower  of  Dr.  Prieftley,  mentioned  before. 
The  perfon  alluded  to  difclaims  all  fanguinary 
proceedings,  and  my  information  arofe  from  a 
very  erroneous  account  which  was  circulated  of 
the  convcrfation.  But  1  ftill  think  the  caution 
equally  neceflary,  which  1  recommended  to  the 
hearers  of  the  frequent  and  violent  declamations 
made  by  thofe  alluded  to,  againll  all  religious 
ellabliftiments. 

Except  the  anecdote  of  Diderot's  library,  I  do 
not  recollecft  another  alTertion  in  the  book,  for 
which  I  have  not  the  authority  of  printed  evidence. 
Thisftory  was  told  m.e  by  fo  many  perfons  of  cre- 
dit, who  were  on  the  fpot  at  the  time,  that  I 
have  no  doubt  of  its  truth. 

I  alfo  find  that  I  was  miflaken  in  my  conjec- 
ture that  Mr.  Zd"  Frc?/7(:  communicated  his  fufpi- 
cions  of  the  horrid  defigns  of  the  Free  Mafons 
to  Archbifliop  Gubc-f,  It  muft  have  been  to  Mr, 
Le  Clerc  de  yiiigne^  a  mod  worthy  prelate,  whom 
the  hatred  of  the  Jacobins  obliged  to  fly  into 
Switzerland.  The  Catholic  clergy  were  butch- 
ered or  banifhed,  and  the  jacobins  fubftituted  in 
their  places  fuch  as  would  fecond  their  views. 
Gobet  was  worthy  of  their  confidence,  and  the 
ArchbiPiop  of  Thculoiife  ( Brienne )  himfelf  could 
not  have  ferved  the  caufe  of  the  philofophiits 
more  effectually,  had  they  fucceeded  in  their  at- 
tempts to  get  him  continued  Archbifliop  of  Paris. 

As  the  poetical  pitflure  of  unqualified  Liberty 
and  Equality,  and  the  indolent  pleafures  of  the 
patriarchal  life,  are  the  charm  by  which  the  Illu- 
minators hope  to  fafcinate  all  hearts,  and  as  they 
reprobate  every  conftrucftion  of  fociety  which  to- 
lerates any  permanent  fubordination,  and  parti- 
cularly   fuch   as  found   this  fubordination  on  dif- 

tindions 


POSTSCRIPT.  369 

tin£lions  of  ranks,  and  fcout  all  privileges  allow- 
ed   to    particular    orders  of  men,  I  hope   that  it 
will  not  be  thought  foreign  to  the  general  purpofe 
of  the    foregoing  Work,  if,  I   with  great  defer- 
ence, lay  before  the  Reader  fome  of  my   reafons 
for  aiferting,  without  hefitation,  in  a  former  part, 
that  the  Britifliconditution  is  the  only  one  that  will 
give  permanent  happinefs  to  a  great  and  luxurious 
nation,  and   is   peculiarly    calculated  to  give  full 
exercife    to     the    beft  propeniities   of   cultivated 
minds.     I  am  the  more  defirous  of  doing  this,  be- 
caufe    it  feems  to   me  that   molt   of  the  political 
writers  on  the  Continent,  and  many  of  my  coun- 
trymen, have  not  attended  to  important   circum- 
flances  which  diflinguifh  our  conltitution  from  the 
States    General    orTrance    and   other    countries. 
The  republicans  in  France  have,  fince  the  Revo- 
lution, employed  the  pains  in  fearching  their    re- 
cords, which    ought  to    have   been  taken   before 
the  convocation  of  the  States,  and   which  w^ould 
probably   have    prevented    that   ftep    altogether. 
They  have  (hewn  that  the  meetings  of  the  States, 
if  we  except  that  in   1614  and  1483,   were   uni- 
formly occalions  of  mutual    contefts  between  the 
different  Orders,  in  which  the  interefbs  of  the  na- 
tion and  the  authority  of  the  Crov/n  were  equally 
forgotten,  and  the  kingdom  was  plunged   into  all 
the   horrors   of  a  rancorous   civil   war.      Of  this 
they    give    us  a  remarkable    indance  during  the 
captivity   of  King  John  in    1355  and    1356,  the 
horrors  of  which   were  hardly  exceeded  by  any 
thing  that  has  happened  in  our  days.     They  have 
fhewn  the  fame  difmal  confequences  of  the  aiTem- 
bly  of  the  different  Orders  in  Brabant  ;  and  Hill 
more  remarkably  in  Sweden  and  Denmark,  where 
they  have  frequently  produced    a  revolution  and 
change  of  government,  all  of  which  have  termi- 
nated 


^yO  POSTCHTPT. 

nated  in  the  abfoliite  government,  either  of  the 
Crown,  or  of  one  of  the  contending  Orders.  They 
laugh  at  the  fimplicity  of  the  Britifli  for  expesfl- 
ing  that  the  permanent  fruits  of  our  conlHtution, 
which  is  founded  on  the  fame  jarring  principles, 
fhali  be  any  better  ;  and  alfcrt,  that  the  peaceable 
excrcife  of  its  feveral  powers  for  fomewhat  more 
than  a  century,  (a  thing  never  experienced  by 
us  in  former  times,)  has  proceeded  from  circum- 
fbances  merely  accidental.  With  much  addrefs 
they  have  feiefted  tlie  former  diliurbances,  and 
have  conncdled  them  by  a  fort  of  principle,  fo  as 
to  iupport  their  fyftem,  "  that  a  States  General 
"  or  Parliament,  confilling  of  a  reprefentation  of 
"  the  diiFerent  claiTes  of  citizens,  can  never  deli- 
"  berate  for  the  general  good,  but  mud  always 
"  occupy  their  time  in  contentions  about  their 
"  mutual  invafions  of  privilege,  and  will  faddle 
"  every  aid  to  the  executive  power,  v^^itli  fome 
"  unjuit  and  ruinous  aggrandifement  of  the  vifto- 
"  rious  Order."  They  have  the  effrontery  to 
give  the  Magna  Charta  as  an  inflance  of  an 
ufurpation  of  the  great  feudatories,  and  have  re- 
prefented  it  in  fuch  a  light  as  to  make  it  the  game 
of  their  writers  and  of  tiie  tribunes. — All  this 
they  have  done  in  order  toreconcile  the  minds  of 
the  few  thinking  men  of  the  nation  to  the  aboli- 
tion of  the  different  Orders  of  the  State,  and  to 
their  National  Convention  in  the  form  of  a  chao- 
tic mafs  of  Frenchmen,  one  and  indivifible  : 

Non  bene junclarum  difcord'ia Jem'ina rerum, 
Ubi  frigida piicgnahant  caltdis,  humentia  Jlcc'is, 
Mollia  cum  diir'is ,  fine pondere  hahent'ia  pondus. 

Their  reafonings  would  be  juft,  .-.nd  their  proofs 
from  hiftory   v.  ould  be  convincing,  if  their  pre- 

mifes 


POSTSCRIPT.  27^ 

miles  were  true  :  if  the  Britiih  Parliameut  were 
really  an  alTembly  of  three  Orders,  either  perlbn- 
ally,  or  by  reprelentation,  deliberating  apart,  each 
having  a  veto  on  the  dccifionsof  the  other  two* 
And  I  apprehend  that  moil  of  my  countrymen, 
who  have  not  had  occafion  to  canvas  the  fubjedt 
with  in.Lich  attention,  fLsppofc  this  to  be  really  ihe 
Britiih  Conftitution  :  for,  in  the  ordinary  table 
converfations  on  the  fubjcct,  they  feldom  go  far- 
ther, and  talk  with  great  complacence  of  the  bal- 
ance of  hoftile  powers,  of  the  King  as  the  umpire 
of  differences,  and  of  the  peace  and  profperity 
that  refults  from  the  whole. 

But  I  cannot  help  thinking  that  this  is  a  mifcon- 
ception,  almoil:  in  every  circumftance.  1  do  not 
know  any  oppofite  interells  in  the  State,  except 
the  general  one  of  the  governor  and  the  governed, 
the  king  and  the  fubje£t. — If  there  is  an  umpire 
in  our  conftitution,  it  is  the  houfe  of  Lords — but 
this  is  not  as  a  reprefentation  of  the  perfons  of 
birth,  but  as  a  court  of  hereditary  magiftrates: 
the  Peers  do  not  meet  to  defend  their  own  privi- 
leges as  citizens,  but  either  as  the  counfellors  of 
the  King,  or  as  judges  in  the  laft  refort.  The 
privileges  for  which  we  fee  them  fometimes  con- 
tend, are  not  the  privileges  of  the  high-born,  of 
the  great  valTals  of  the  Crown,  but  the  privileges 
of  the  Houfe  of  Lords,  of  the  fupreme  Court  of 
Judicature,  or  of  the  King's  Council.  In  all  the 
nations  on  the  Continent,  the  dinerent  Orders,  as 
they  are  called,  of  the  State,  are  corporations, 
bodies  politic,  which  have  jurlididion  within 
tliemlelves,  and  rights  w^hich  they  can  maintain 
at  their  own  hand,  and  privileges  which  mark 
them  mofl  diilin<Stly,  and  produce  fuch  a  complete 
feparation  between  the  different  Orders,  that  they 
can  no  more   mix  than  oil  and  water.     Yet  the 

great 


372  POSTSCRIPT. 

great  prcfulcnt  Montefquieu  fays,  that  the  Peerage 
of  England  is  a  body  of  Nobility  ;  and  he  ufesthei 
term  body  in  the  fl:ri£l  fenfc  now  mentioned,  asfy- 
nonymous  to  corporation.  He  has  repeatedly  uled 
this  term  to  denote  the  lecond  order  of  French- 
men, perions  of  noble  birth,  or  ennobled,  (that 
is,  vefted  in  the  privileges  and  difhinftions  of  the 
nobly  born,)  united  bylaw,  and  having  authority 
to  maintain  their  privileges.  The  hiilory  of 
France,  nay  of  our  own  country,  (liows  us  that 
this  body  may  enjoy  all  its  diftindlions  of  nobility, 
and  that  the  Great  Barons  may  enjoy  the  preroga- 
tives of  their  baronies,  although  the  authority  of 
the  Crown  is  alnioft  annihilated. — W^e  have  no 
cogent  reafon,  therefore,  for  thinking  that  they 
will  be  conilantly  careful  to  fupport  the  authority 
of  the  Crown  :  and  much  lefs  to  believe  thatthev 
will,  at  the  fame  time,  watch  over  the  liberties 
of  the  people.  In  the  eledtion  of  their  reprefenta- 
tives,  (for  the  whole  body  of  the  gentlemen  mufl:  ap- 
pear by  reprefentation,)  we  muft  not  expedt  that 
they  will  fcletl  fucli  of  their  own  number  as  will 
take  care  of  thofe  two  effential  objeils  of  our  con- 
iHtution. — Equally  jealous  of  the  authority  of  the 
Crown  and  of  the  encroachments  of  all  thofe  who 
are  not  gentlemen,  and  even  fearful  of  the  af- 
luraptions  of  tlie  Great  Barons,  the  powerful  in- 
dividuals of  their  own  order,  they  will  always 
choofe  fuch  reprefentatives  as  v.'ill  defend  their 
own  rights  in  the  firfl  place.  Such  perlbns  are  by 
no  means  fit  for  maintaining  the  proper  authority 
of  the  Crown,  and  keeping  the  reprefentatives  of 
the  lower  claifes  within  proper  bounds. 

But  this  is  not  the  nature  of  our  Houfe  of  Lords 
in  the  prefentday.  It  was  fo  formerly  in  a  great 
jTieafure,  and  had  the  fame  etfeiVs  as  in  other 
countries.     But   fmce   the  Revolution,  the   Peers 

of 


POSTSCRIPT.  273 

of  Great- Britain  have  no  important  privileges  which 
relate  merely  or  chiefly  to  birch.  Thefe  all  refer 
to  their  fundtions  as  Magiflrates  of  the  Supreme 
Court.  The  King  can,  at  any  time,  place  in  this 
Houfe  any  eminent  perfon  whom  he  thinks  worthy 
of  the  office  of  hereditary  magiflrate.  The  Peers 
are  noble — that  is,  remarkable,  Illuftrious  ;  but  are 
not  neccfiarily,  nor  in  every  inftanre,  perfons  of 
high  birth.  This  Houfe  therefore  is  not,  in  any 
fort,  the  reprefentative  of  what  is  called  in  France 
the  NoblelTe — a  particular  call  of  the  nation  ; — nor 
is  it  a  jundlion  of  the  proprietors  of  the  great  fees 
of  the  Crown,  as  fuch  ; — for  many,  very  many,  of 
the  greateft  baronies  are  in  the  hands  of  thofe  we 
call  Commoners. — They  fit  as  the  King's  Counfel- 
lors,  or  as  Judges. — Therefore  the  members  of  our 
Upper  Houfe  are  not  fwayed  by  the  prejudices  of 
any  clafs  of  the  citizens.  They  are  hereditary  ma- 
gilfrates,  created  by  the  Sovereign,  for  his  counfel, 
to  defend  his  prerogatives,  to  hold  the  balance  be- 
tween the  throne  and  the  people.  The  greateft  part 
of  the  Nobility  (in  the  continental  fenfe  of  the  word) 
are  not  called  into  this  Houfe,  but  they  may  be 
members  of  the  Lower  Houfe,  which  we  call  the 
Commons ;  nay  the  fons  and  the  brothers  of  the 
Peers  arc  in  the  fame  ficuation.  The  Peers  there- 
fore  cannot  be  hoftile  or  indifferent  to  the  liberty, 
the  rights,  or  the  happinefs  of  the  Commons,  with- 
out being  the  enemies  of  their  own  families.        • 

Nor  is  our  Houfe  of  Commons  at  ail  fimilar  to 
x\\t  Third  Eftate  oi  3iny  of  the  neighbouring  king- 
doms. They  are  not  the  reprefentatives  of  the  ig- 
nobly born,  or  of  any  clafs  of  citizens.  The  mem- 
bers are  the  proper  reprefentatives  of  the  whale  na- 
tioyiy  and  confift  of  perfons  of  every  clafs,  perfons 
of  the  higheft  birth,  perl'ons  of  great  fortune,  perfons 
of  education,  of  knowledge,  of  talents. 

2  Z  Thus 


374  POSTSCRIPT. 

Tluis  the  caules  of  difTennon  which  refer  to  the 
diftinCtive  rights  or  prerogatives  of  the  different 
claffcs  of  citizens  are  removed,  becaufe  in  each 
Houfe  there  are  many  individuals  feledted  from  all 
the  claffes. 

A  Peer,  having  attained  the  higheft  honours  of 
the  date,  mull  be  an  enemy  to  every  revolution. 
Revolution  mufi:  certainly  degrade  him,  vi'hether  it 
places  an  abfolute  monarch,  or  a  democratic  junto, 
on  the  throne. 

The  Sovereign  naturally  looks  for  the  fupport  of 
the  Upper  Houfe,  and  in  every  meafure  agreeable 
to  the  confticution,  and  to  the  public  weal,  exerts 
his  influence  on  the  Houfe  of  Commons.  Here 
the  charaifter  of  the  monarch  and  his  choice  of  mf- 
nifters  muft  appear,  as  in  any  other  conftitution  ; 
but  with  much  lefs  chance  of  danger  to  political  li- 
berty.— The  great  engine  of  monarchy  in  Europe, 
has  been  the  jarring  privileges  of  the  different  Or- 
ders ;  and  the  Sovereign,  by  fiding  with  one  of 
them,  obtained  acceffions  of  prerogative  and  pow- 
er.— It  was  thus  that,  under  the  Houfe  of  Tudor, 
our  conftitution  advanced  with  hafty  flrides  to  ab- 
Jblute  monarchy ;  and  would  have  attained  it,  had 
James  the  Firft  been  as  able  as  he  was  willing  to  fe- 
cure  what  he  firmly  believed  to  be  the  divine  rights 
of  his  Crown. 

I  do  not  recollect  hearing  the  lov/er  ranks  of  the 
State  venting  much  of  their  difcontents  againft  the 
Peers,  and  they  feem  to  perceive  pretty  clearly 
the  advantages  arifing  from  their  prerogatives. 
They  feem  to  look  up  to  them  as  the  firft  who  will 
proteft  them  againft  the  agents  of  Ibvereignty. 
They  know  that  a  man  may  rife  from  the  loweft 
ftation  to  the  peerage,  and  that  in  that  exaltation 
he  remains  conntded  with  themfelvcs  by  the  dear- 
eft 


POSTSCRIPT.  375 

eft  ties ;  and  the  Houfe  of  Commons  take  no  of- 
fence a'c  the  creation  of  new  Peers,  becaufe  their 
privileges  as  a  Court,  and  their  private  rights,  are 
not  affecled  by  it.  Accordingly,  the  Houfe  has  al- 
ways oppofed  every  project  of  limiting  the. King's 
prerogative  in  this  rei'pcd:. 

How  unlike  is  all  this  to  the  conftitution  confift- 
ing  of  the   pure  reprefentatives  of  the   Privileged 
Orders  of  the  Continental  States.     The  felf-con- 
ceited    conftitutionalifts  of  France   faw  fomething 
in  the  Britifli  Parliament  which  did  not  fall  in  with 
their  own  hajiy  notions,  antl  prided  themfelves  in 
not  copying  from  us.     This  would  have  indicated 
great  poverty  of  invention  in  a  nation  accuftomed 
to  confider  itfelf  as  the  teacher  of  mankind.     The 
moft  fenfible  of  them,  however,  wiflied  to  have  a 
conftitution  vvhich  they  called  znimprovement  of  ours: 
and  this  was  the  fimple  plan  of  a  reprejentation  of  the 
two  or  three  Orders  of  the  State.     Their  Upper 
Houfe  fhould  contain  the  reprefentatives  of  100,000 
noblefie.     The   Princes   of  the   Blood  and  Great 
Barons  fliould  fit  in  it  of  their  own  right,  and  the 
reft  by  deputies.     The  Lower  Houfe,  or  Tiers  Etat, 
fliould  con fi ft  of  deputies  from  thofe  ignobly  born  ; 
fuch  as  merchants,  perfons  in  the  lower  offices  of 
the  law,  artifans,  peafants,  and  a  fmall  number  of 
freeholders.     Surely  it  needs  no  deep  refleftion  to 
teach  ws  what  fort  of  deliberations  would  occupy 
fuch  a  houfe.     It  would  be  a  moft  ufcful  occupation 
however,  to  perufe  the  hiftory  of  France,  and  ofother 
nations,  and  fee  wha.t  renlly  did  occupy  the  Tiers  Etat 
thus  conftru6led,  and  v.'hat  were  their  proceedings, 
their  decifions,  and  the  fteps  which  they' took   to 
make  them  eft'edual.     I  have  no  doubt  but  that  this 
ftudy  v^'ouid  cure  moft  of  our  advocates  for  general 
eligibility,  and  for  general  fuffrage.     I  have  lately 

reacl 


376  POSTSCRIPT, 

read   Velley   and  Villaret's  Hiftory  of  France,  (by 
the  bye,  the  Abbe  Barruel  has  fhevvn  that  the  Club 
d'Holbach  managed   the  publication  of  this  Hif- 
tory  after  the  firft  eight  or  ten  volumes,  and  flipped 
inco  it  many  things  fuited  to  their  impious  projeft,) 
and  the  accountsof  the  troublcfome  reigns  of  John, 
and  Charles  his   fucceflbr,  by  authors  who  wrote 
long  before  the  Revolution ;  and  they  filled  me  with 
horror.     The  only  inftance  that  I  met  with  of  any 
thing  like  moderation  in  the  claims  and  difputes   of 
the  different  Orders  of  their  States  General,  and  of 
patriotifm,  or  regard  for  the  general  intercfls  of  the 
State,  is  in  their  meetings  during   the   minority  of 
Charles  VIII. 

With  refpeift  to  the  limitations  of  the  eligibility 
into  the  Houfe  of  Commons,  I  think  that  there  can 
be  no  doubt  that  thofe  lliould  be  excluded  whofe 
habits  of  needy  and  laborious  life  have  precluded 
them  from  all  opportunities  of  acquiring  fome  gene- 
ral views  of  political  relations.  Such  perfons  are 
totally  unfit  for  deliberations,  where  general  or 
comprehenfive  views  only  are  to  be  the  fubjetls  of 
difcufTion  -,  they  can  have  no  conceptions  of  the  fub- 
jecl:,  and  therefore  no  fteady  notions  or  opinions, 
but  muH:  change  them  after  every  fpeaker,  and  muft 
become  the  dupes  of  every  demagogue. 

But  there  are  other  circumftances  which  make  me 
think  that,  of  all  the  clafTes  of  citizens,  the  land 
proprietors  are  the  fitted  for  holding  this  important 
ofBce.  I  do  not  infer  this  from  their  having  a  more 
real  connexion  with  the  nation,  and  a  ftronger  in- 
tereft  in  its  fate — I  prefer  them  en  account  of  their 
general  habits  of  thought.  Almoft  all  their  ordina- 
ry tranfaftions  are  fuch  as  make  them  acquainted 
with  the  interefts  of  others,  caufe  them  to  confider 
thofe  in  general  points  of  view  i  and,  in  fhort,  mofb 

of 


POSTSCRIPT.  377 

of  their  occupations  arc,  in   fo me  degree,    national. 
They   are  accuftomed  to  fettle  differences  between 
thofe   of  lower  flations — they  are  frequently  in  the 
King's  commiffion  as   Juftices  of  the    Peace.     All 
thefe  circumfbances  make  them  much  apter  fcholars 
in  that  political  knowledge,  which  is  abfolutely  ne- 
ccflary  for  a  member  of  the  Roufc  of  Commons. 
But,  befides   this,  I   have  no  hefitation   in  faying 
that  their  turn  of  mind,  their  principles  of  conducSt, 
are  more  generally  fuch  as  become  a  Senator,  than 
thofe  o^  any  other  clafs  of  m.en.     This  clafs   includes 
almofl:  all   men  of  family.     I  cannot  help  think- 
ing that  even  what  is  called  family  pride  is  a  fenti- 
ment  in  their  favour.     I  am  convinced  that  all  our 
propenfities  are  ufeful  in  fociety,  and  that  their  bad 
efTe6ts  arife  wholly  from  v/ant  of  moderation  in  the 
indulgence  of  them,  or  fometinies  from  the  impro- 
priety of  the  occafion  on  which  they  are  exerted. 
What  propenfity  is  more  general  than  the  delire  of 
acquiring  permanent  confideration  for  ourfelves  and 
our  families  ?  Vvhereisther/ian  to  be  found  fomean- 
fpirited    as  not  to   value  him.felf  for  being  born  of 
creditable  parents,  and  for  creditable  domcftic  con- 
nections ?  Is  this  v^rong  becaufe  it  has  been  abufed  ? 
So  then  is  every  pre-eminence  of  office  ;  and   the 
direftors  of  republican   France   are  as  criminal  as 
her  form.er  Nobles.     This  propenfity  oi  the  human 
heart  fhould  no  more  be  rejeded  than  the  defire  of 
power.     It  fhould  be  regulated — but  it  Ihould  cer- 
tainly be  made  ufe  of  as  one  of  the  means  of  car- 
rying on  the  national  bufmefs.  I  think  that  we  know 
fome  of  its  good  tffccls — It  incites  to  a  certain  pro- 
priety of  conduct  that  is  generally  agreeable— its 
honefty  is  embcllifhed   by  a  manner  that  makes  it 
more  pleafmg.  There  is  fomething  that  we  call  the 
behaviour  of  a  Genileman  that  is  immediatly  and  uni- 
formly underftood.    The  plaincft  peafant  or  labour- 
er 


37?  POSTSCRIPT. 

er  will  i'-'iy  of  a  man  whom  he  cfteems  in  a  certain 
way,  "  He  is  a  Gentleman,  every  bit  of  him," — 
and  he  is  perfectly  underftcod  by  all  who  hear  him 
to  mean,  not  a  rank  in  life,  but  a  turn  of  mind,  a 
tenor  of  conduct  that  is  amiable  and  worthy,  and 
the  ground  of  confidence. — I  remark,  with  fome 
feeling  of  patriotic  pride,  that  thefe  are  phrafes  al- 
moft  peculiar  to  our  language — in  Rufiia  the  words 
v^ould  have  no  meaning.  But  there,  the  Sovereign 
is  a  defpot,  and  all  but  the  Gentry  are  {laves ;  and 
the  Gentry  are  at  no  pains  to  recommend  their  clafs 
by  fuch  a  diftindtion,  nor  to  give  currency  to  fuch 
a  phrafe.— I  would  infer  from  this  peculiarity,  that 
Britain  is  the  happy  land,  where  the  wifcft  ufe  has 
been  made  of  this  propenlity  of  the  human  heart. 

If  therefore  there  be  a  foundation  for  this  pecu- 
liarity, the  Gentry  are  proper  objedts  of  our  choice 
for  filling  the  Houfe  of  Commons. 

If  theoretical  confiderations  are  of  any  value  in 
queftions  of  political  difcuffion,  I  would  fay,  that 
we  have  good  reafons  for  giving  this  clafs  of  citizens 
a  great  fliare  in  the  public  deliberations.  Befides 
what  I  have  already  noticed  of  their  habits  of  confi- 
dering  things  in  general  points  of  view,  and  their 
feeling  a  clofer  connection  with  the  nation  than  any 
other  clafs,  I  would  fay  that  the  power  and  influence 
v^hich  naturally  attach  to  tlieir  being  called  to  offices 
of  public  truft,  will  probably  be  better  lodged  in 
rheir  hands.  If  they  are  generally  felefted  for  thefe 
offices,  they  come  to  confider  them  as  parts  of  their 
civil  condition,  as  fituations  natural  to  them.  They 
v/ill  therefore  exercife  this  power  and  influence  with 
the  moderation  and  calmnefs  of  habit, — they  are  no 
novelties  to  them — they  are  not  afraid  oflofingtheni; 
— therefore,  when  in  office,  they  do  not  catch  at  the 
opportunities  of  cxercifing  them.  This  is  the  ordi- 
nary 


POSTSCRIPT.  379 

nary  conduft  of  men,  and  therefore  is  a  ground  of 
probable  reafoning. — In  fhort,  I  fhoiildexpe6t  from 
our  Gentry  fomewhat  of  generoficy  and  candour, 
which  would  temper  the  commercial  principle, 
which  feems  to  regulate  the  national  tranfadions  of 
modern  Europe,  and  whofe  effefts  fecm  Icfs  friend- 
ly to  the  bell  interefts  of  humanity,  than  even  the 
Roman  principle  of  glory. 

The   Reader  will   now  believe  that  I  would  not 
recommend  the  filling  the  Houfe  of  Commons  with 
merchants,  although  they  feem  to  be  the  natural  Re- 
prcfenratives  of  the  monied   intereft  of  the  nation. 
But  I  do  not  wilh  to  confiderthat  Houfe  as  the  Re- 
prefentativc  of  any  Orders  whatever,  or  to  difturb 
its  deliberations  with  any   debates  on  their  jarring 
intcrefts.     The  man  of  purely  commercial   notions 
difclaims  all  generofity — recommends  honefty  be- 
caule  it  is  the  beft  policy — in    fliort,  ^-  places  the 
"  value  of  a  thing  in  as  much  m.oney  as'twilibring." 
I  fhould  watch  the  conduft  of  fuch  men  more  nar- 
rowly than  that  of  the  Nobles.     Indeed,  the  hiftcry 
of  Parliament  will  fhow  that  the  Gentry  have  not 
been  the  moft  venal  part  of  the  Floufe.     The  Illu- 
mination which  now  dazzles  the  world  aims  diredly 
at  multiplying  the   nuniber  of  venal  members,  by 
filling-  the  fenates  of  Europe  with  mien  who  may  be 
bought  at  a  low  price.     Mini fte rial  corruption   is 
the  fruit  of  Liberty,  and  freedom  dawned  in  this  na- 
tion in  Queen  Elizabeth's  time,  when  her  minifter 
bribed  Wentworth. — A   wife    and   free  Legiflation 
will  endeavour  to  make  this  as  cxpenfive  and  trou- 
blefome  as    pofiible,  and  therefore  will  neither  ad- 
mit univerfal  fuffragenora  very  extenfiveeligibility. 
Thcfe  two  circi-imilances,  befides  opening  a  wider 
door  to  corruption,  tend  to  deftroy  tiie  verv  inten- 
tion of  ail  civil  conilicurions.     The  great  objeft   in 


them 


380  '  POSTSCRIPT. 

them  is,  to  make  a  great  number  of  people  happy. 
Some  men  place  their  chief  enjoyment  in  meafuring 
their  ftrength  with  others,  and  love  to  be  continually 
employed  in  canvafling,  intriguing,  and  carrying  on 
fome  little  pieces  of  a   fort  of  public  bufinefs  j  to 
fuch  men  univerfal  fiiffrage  and  eligibility  would  be 
paradife — but  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  number  of 
fuch  is  not  very  great :  for  this  occupation  muft  be 
accompanied  by   much  difquitt  among  their  neigh- 
bours, much  dilTenfion,  and  mutual  offence  and  ill- 
will — and  the  peaceable,  the  indolent,  the  f.udious, 
and  the  half  of  the  nation,  the  women,  will  be  great 
fufferers   by   all   this.     In  a  nation  poiTelTing  many 
of  the  comforts  and  pleafures  of  life,  the    happieft 
s;overnment   is  that  which  will  leave  the  greateit 
number  poflible  totally   unoccupied  with   national 
affairs,  and  at  full  liberty  to  enjoy  all  their  domef- 
tic  and  focial  pleafures,  and  to  do  this  with  fccurity 
and  permanency.     Great  limitations  in  the  right  of 
ele<fcing  fcems   therefore  a  circumftance  neceffary 
for  this  purpofe  -,  and    limitations   are  equally  ne- 
ceffary   on   the    eligibility.      When   the   offices  of 
power  and  emolument  are  open  to  ail,  the  fcramble 
becomes  univerfal,  and  the  nation  is  never  at  peace. 
The  read  to  a  feat  in  Parliament  fhould  be  acceffi- 
ble  to  all ;  but  it  fliould  be  long,    ib   that   many 
things,  which  all  may  in  time  obrain,  ihall  be  re- 
quifite   for  qualifying    the    candidate.      The   road 
iliould  alfo  be  fuch  that  all  fliould  be  induced  to  walk 
in  it,  in  the  profecution  of  their  ordinary  bufinefs ; 
and  their  admiffion  into  public  offices  fliould  depend 
on    the   progrefs   v;hich  they  have  made  in  the  ad- 
vancement of  their  own   fortunes.     Such  regula- 
tions would,  I  think,  give  the  grrateff  chance  of 
tilling  the  offi.ces  v.iih  perfons  fictcil  for  them,  by 


their 


CHAP.   II.  THE  ILLUMINATl,  185 

Then  let  us  refle<5l  that  it  is  woman  that  is  to  grace 
the  whole — It  is  in  nature,  it  is  the  very  conftitution  of 
man,  that  woman,  and  every  thing  connected  with 
woman,  muft  appear  as  the  ornament  of  life.  That 
this  mixes  with  every  other  focial  fentiment,  appears 
from  the  condu6l  of  our  fpecies  in  all  ages  atid  in  eve  y 
fituation.  This  I  prefume  would  be  the  cafe  even 
though  there  were  no  qualities  in  the  fex  to  juftify  it. 
This  fentiment  refpe6ting  th^  fex  is  neceiiary,  in  order 
to  rear  fo  helplefs,  fo  nice,  and  fo  improvtablc  a  crea- 
ture as  man  ;  without  it,  the  long  abiding  talk  could 
not  be  performed  : — and  I  think  that  I  may  venture 
to  fay  that  it  is  performed  in  the  different  f^ates  of  "i^)- 
ciety  nearly  in  proportion  as  this  preparatory  and  indif- 
penlablc  fentiment  is  in  force. 

On  the  other  hand,  I  think  it  no  lefs  evident  that  it 
is  the  defire  of  the  women  to  be  agreeable  to  the  men, 
and  that  they  will  model  themfelves  according  to  what 
they  think  will  pleafe.  Without  this  adjullment  of 
fentiments  by  nature,  nothing  would  go  on.  We  ne- 
ver obferve  any  fuch  want  of  fymmetry  in  the  works 
of  Godc  If,  therefore,  thofe  who  take  the  Icadi,  and 
give  the  fafhion  in  fociety,  were  wife  and  virtuous,  I 
have  no  doubt  but  that  the  women  would  fet  the 
brightcft  patiern  of  every  thing  that  is  excellent.  But 
if  the  men  are  nice  and  faftidious  fenfualifts,  the  women 
will  be  refined  and  elegant  voluptuaries. 

There  is  no  deficiency  in  the  female  mind,  either  in 
talents  or  in  difpoficions  ;  nor  can  we  fay  with  certainty 
that  there  is  any  fubjed  of  intellecftual  or  moral  difcuf- 
fion  in  which  women  have  not  excelled.  If  the  deli- 
cacy of  their  conftitution,  and  other  phyfical  caufcs, 
allow  the  female  fex  a  fmaller  fliare  of  fome  mental 
powers,  they  poffcfs  others  in  a  fuperior  degree,  which 
are  no  Icfs  rcfpeftable  in  their  own  nature,  an  1  of  as 
great  importance  to  fociety.     Inftead  of  dcfcanting  at 

1  A  lar:.c 


l86  THE    ILLUMINATI.  CHAP.   Ii; 

large  on  their  powers  of  mind,  and  fupporting  my  af- 
fertions  by  the  infl-anccs  of  a  Hypatia,  a  Schurman,  a 
Zenobia,  an  Elizabeth,  &c.  I  may  reprat  the  account 
given  of  the  fcx  by  a  perfon  of  uncommon  experience, 
who  faw  them  without  difguife,  or  any  motive  that 
could  lead  them  to  play  a  feigned  part' — Mr.  Lcdyard, 
who  traverfed  the  greateft  part  of  the!  world,  for  the 
mere  indulgence  of  his  tafte  for  obfervation  of  human 
nature  j  generally  in  want,  and  often  in  extreme  mi- 
fery. 

*'  I  have  (fays  he)  always  remarked  that  women, 
"  in  all  countries,  are  civil,  obliging,  tender,  and  hu- 
*'  mane  ;  that  they  are  ever  inclined  to  be  gay  and 
"  cheerful,  timorous  and  modcftj  and  that  they  do 
«^  not  hefitate,  like  men,  to  perform  a  kind  or  gene- 
rous adion. — Not  haughty,  not  arrogant,  not  fu- 
percilious,  they  are  full  of  courtefy,  and  fond  of  fo- 
ciety — more  liable  in  general  to  err  than  man,  but 
in  general,  alfo,  more  virtuous,  and  performing 
"  more  good  aftions  than  he.  To  a  woman,  whether 
'^  civilized  or  favage,  I  never  addnffed  mylelf  in  the 
"  language  of  decency  and  friendlhip — without  receiv- 
*'  ing  a  decent  and  friendly  anfwer — with  man  it  has 
"  often  been  otherwife. 

In  wandering  over  the  barren  plains  of  in- 
hofpitable  Denmark,  through  honeft  Sweden,  and 
frozen  Lapland,  rude  and  churlifh  Finland,  unprin- 
**  cipled  Rufila,  and  the  wide  fpread  regions  of  the  wan- 
dering Tartar, — if  hungry,  dry,  cold,  wet,  or  fick, 
the  women  have  ever  been  friendly  to  me,  and  uni- 
formly fo ;  and  to  add  to  this  virtue,  (fo  worthy  of 
the  appellation  of  benevolence,)  thefe  actions  have 
been  performed  in  fo  free  and  fo  kind  a  manner,  that 
if  I  was  thirfty,  I  drank  the  fweeteft  draught,  and 
if  hungry,  I  ate  the  coarfe  meal  with  a  double 
"  relifh." 

And 


cc 
tc 
tc 


a 
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(t 
cc 
<c 

cc 

iC 


CHAP.  II.  THE    ILLUMINATI.  187 

And  thcfc  are  they  whom  Weifliaupt  would  cor- 
rupt !  One  of  thefe,  whom  he  had  embraced  with 
fondnefs,  would  he  have  murdered,  to  fave  his  honour, 
and  qualify  himfelf  to  preach  virtue  !  But  let  us  not  be 
tooftvere  on  Wcifhaupt — let  us  wafh  ourfelves  clear 
of  all  (lain  before  we  think  of  reprobating  him.  Are 
we  not  guilty  in  fome  degree,  when  we  do  not  culti- 
vate in  the  women  thole  powers  of  mind,  and  thofe 
difpofitions  of  heart,  which  would  equally  dignify  them 
in  every  ftation  as  in  thofe  humble  ranks  in  which  Mr. 
Ledyard  moft  frequently  faw  them  ?  I  cannot  think 
that  we  do  this.  They  are  not  only  to  grace  the  whole 
of  cultivated  fociety,  but  it  is  in  their  faithful  and  af- 
fe6lionate  perfonai  attachment  that  we  are  to  find  the 
fweeteft  pleafurcs  that  life  can  give.  Yet  in  all  thefe 
fituations  where  the  manner  in  which  they  are  treated 
is  not  di(5lated  by  the  ficrn  laws  of  necefiity,  are  they 
not  trained  up  for  mere  amufement — are  not  ierious 
occupations  confidered  as  a  talk  which  hurts  their  love- 
linefs  ?  What  is  this  but  felfifhnefs,  or  as  if  they  had 
no  virtues  worth  cultivating?  Their  ^ujinefs  is  fuppofed 
to  be  the  ornameniino-  themfelves,  as  if  nature  did- noc 
didlate  this  to  them  already,  with  at  leaft  as  much 
force  as  is  neceffary.  Every  thing  is  prcfcnbed  to 
them  hecauje  it  makes  them  more  lovely — even  their  moral 
leffons  are  enforced  by  this  argument,  and  Mifs  WooU 
lloncraft  is  perftdly  right  when  fiie  fays  that  the  fine 
lefTons  given  to  young  women  by  Fordyce  or  RoulTeau 
are  nothing  but  felfifli  and  refined  voluptuoufnefs.  This 
advocate  of  her  fcx  puts  her  filters  in  the  proper  point 
of  view,  when  fiie  tells  them  that  they  are,  like  man^ 
the  fubjefts  of  God's  moral  government, — like  man, 
preparing  themfelves  for  boundlefs  improvement  in  a 
better  ftate  of  exiftence.  Had  (lie  adhered  to  this  view 
of  the  matter,  and  kept  it  conftantly  in  fight,  her  book 
(which  doubtlefs  contain*  many  excellent  things,  highly 

defervins: 


l88  THE    ILLUMINATI.  CHAP,  11. 

deferving  of  their  ferious  confideration)  would  have 
been  a  moil  valuable  work.     She  juftly  obfcrves,  that 
the  virtues  of  the  fcx  are   great  and   refpediable,   but 
that  in  our  mad  chacc  of  pleafure,  only  pleafure,  they 
are  little  thought  of  or  attended  to.      Man  trufts  to  his 
own  uncontroulable  power,  or  to  the  general  goodnefs 
of  the  fex,  that  their  virtues  will  appeiir  when  we  have 
occafion  for  them  -, — "  but  we  will  fend  for  thefc  fomc 
"  other  time  :" — Many  noble    difplays  do  they  make 
of  the   moll  difficult  attainments.     Such  is  the  patient 
bfaring  up  under  misfortunes,  which  has  no  brilliancy 
to  fupport  it  in  the  effort.     This  is  more  difficult  than 
braving  danger  in  an  adlive  and  confpicuous   fituation. 
How  often  is  a  woman  left  with  a  family,  and  the  fliat- 
tered  remains  of  a  fortune,  loft  perhaps  by  difTipation 
or  by  indolence — and  how  feldom,  how  very  feldom, 
do  we  fee  woman  fhrink  from  the  taflv,  or  difchargc  it 
with  negligence  ?  Is  it  not  therefore  folly  next  to  mad- 
ncfs,  not  to  be  careful  of  this  our  greateft  bleffing — of 
things  which  fo   nearly  concern  our  peace — nor  guard 
ourfeives,  and  thefe  our   beft  companions  and  friends, 
from  the   effects  of  this  fatal  Illumination?  It  has  in- 
deed brought   to   light  what  dreadful  lengths  men  will 
go,  when  under  the  fanatical  and  dazzling  glare  of  hap- 
pinel's  in  a  (late  of  liberty  and  equality,  and  fpurred  on- 
by  infatiable  luxury,  and  not  held   in  check  by  moral 
feelings  and  the  reftraints  of  religion — and  mark,  reader, 
that  the  women  have  here  alfo  taken  the  complexion  of  the 
men,  and  have  even  gone  beyond  them.   If  wehavefcena 
fon  prefent  himfelf  to  the  National  Affembly  of  France, 
profeffing  his   fatisfaflion  with  the  execution  of  his  fa- 
ther three  days  before,  and  declaring  himfelf  a  true 
citizenj  who  prefers  the  nation  to  all  other  confidera- 
tions ;  we  hive  alfo  fecn,  on  the  fame  day,  wives  de- 
nouncing their  hufbands,  and   (O  fliocking  to  human 
nature  !)    mothers  denouncing   their  Ions,   as  bad   ci- 
tizens 


CHAP.  II.  THE    ILLUMINATI.  189 

tizens  and  traitors.  Mark  too  what  return  the  women 
have  met  with  for  all  their  horrid  fervices,  where,  to 
cxprcfs  their  fentiments  of  civitm  and  abhorrence  of 
royalty,  they  threw  away  the  chara6ber  of  their  fex, 
and  bit  the  amputated  limbs  of  their  murdered  coun- 
trymen*. Surely  thefe  patriotic  women  merited  that 
the  rights  of  their  fex  fliould  be  confidered  in  full  coun- 
cil, and  they  were  well  entitled  to  a  feat  ;  but  there  is 
not  a  fingle  a6l  of  their  government  in  which  the  fex  is 
confidered  as  having  any  rights  whatever,  or  that  they 
are  things  to  be  cared  for. 

Are  not  the  accurfcd  fruits  of  Illumination  to  be  (ccn 
in  the  prefenthumiliating  condition  of  woman  in  France? 
pampered  in  every  thing  that  can  reduce  them  to  the 
mere  inftruments  of  animal  pleafure.  In  their  prefenc 
ftate  of  national  moderation  (as  they  call  it)  and  fe- 
curity,  fee  Madame  Tallien  come  into  the  public  thea- 
tre, accompanied  by  other  beautiful  women,  (I  was 
about  to  have  mifnamed  them  Ladies,)  laying  afidc  all 
modefty,  and  prefenting  themfclves  to  the  public  view, 
with  bared  limbs,  a  la  Sauvage^  as  the  alluring  obje£i:s 
of  defire.  I  make  no  doubt  but  that  this  is  a  fenous 
matter,  encouraged,  nay,  prompted  by  government. 
To  keep  the  minds  of  the  Parifians  in  the  prefent  fe- 
ver of  difiblute  gaiety,  they  are  at  more  expcnce  from 
the  national  treafury  for  the  fupportof  the  fixty  theatres, 
than  all  the  pcnfions  and  honorary  offices  in  Britain, 
three  times  told,  amount  to.  Was  not  their  abomina- 
ble farce  in  the  church  of  Notre  Dame  a  bate  of  the 
fame  kind  in  the  true  fpirit  oiV^t\CnA^^^i\  Eroterion? 

*  I  fay  this  on  the  authority  of  a  young  gentleman,  an  emigrant, 
who  faw  it,  and  who  faid,  that  they  were  women,  not  of  the  dregs 
of  the  Palais  Royal,  nor  of  infamous  charader,  but  well  drelTcd.— { 
am  forry  to  add,  that  the  relation,  accompanied  with  looks  of  hor- 
ror and  dilguft,  only  provoked  a  contemptuous  fmile  from  an  illami- 
nated  Britifh  Fair-one. 


ipO  THE    ILLUMINaTI.  CMAP.    II. 

*•■  We  do  not,"  laid  the  high  prieft,  "  call  you  to  tha 
"  worihip  of  inanimate  idols.  Behold  a  mafter-piece 
"  of  nature,  (lifting  up  the  veil  which  concealed  the 
"  naked  charms  of  the  beautiful  Madmf.  Barbier)  : 
"  This  facred  image  fliould  inflame  all  hearts."  And 
it  did  fo  ;  the  people  fliouted  out,  "  No  more  altars, 
"  no  more  priefts,  no  God  but  the  God  of  Nature." 

Orleans,  the  rirft  prince  of  the  blood,  did  not  fcruplc 
to  proftitute  his  daughter,  if  not  to  the  embraces,  yet 
to  the  wanton  view  of  the  public,  with  the  precife  in- 
tention of  inflaming  their  defires.  (See  the  account 
given  of  the  dinners  at  Sillery's,  by  Camille  Defmou- 
lines,  in  his  fpeech  againfl:  the  BriflTotins.)  But  what 
will  be  the  end  of  all  this  ?  The  fondlings  of  the  weal- 
thy will  be  pampered  in  all  the  indultiences  which 
faftidious  voiu})tuoufnefs  finds  necefTary  for  varying  or 
enhancing  its  pleafuresj  but  they  will  either  be  flighted 
as  toys,  or  they  will  be  immured  ;  and  the  companions 
of  the  poor  will  be  drudges  and  flaves. 

I  am  fully  perfuaded  that  it  was  the  enthufiafl:ic  ad- 
miration of  Grecian  democracy  that  recommended  to 
the  French  nation  the  drefs  a  la  Grecque,  which  exhibits 
not  the  elegant,  ornamented  beauty,  bur  the  alluring 
female,  fully  as  well  as  Madame  Tallien's  dre{s  a  la 
Sauvage.  It  was  no  doubt  with  the  fame  adherence  to 
Jerious  principky  that  Mademoifelle  Therouanne  was 
moil  beautifully  drefl"ed  a  V Amazonne  on  the  5th  of 
Oftobcr  1789,  when  flie  turned  the  heads  of  fo  many 
young  oflicers  of  the  regiments  at  Verfailles.  The 
Cythera,  the  hominum  divunque  voluptas,  at  the  cathe- 
dral of  Notre  Dame,  was  alfo  drefl^ed  a  la  Grecque : 
There  is  a  mofb  evident  and  chara6teriftic  change  in 
the  whole  fyflrem  of  female  drefs  in  France.  The  Filles 
de  rOpera  always  gave  the  /o;/,  and  were  furely  withheld 
by  no  rigid  principle.  They  fometimes  produced 
very  extravagant  and  fanwllic  forms,  but  thefe  were 

aim  oft 


CHAP.  II.  THE    ILLUMINATl.  I9I 

almoft  always  in  the  flyle  of  the  higheft  ornament,  and 
they  trufled,  for  the  reft  of  the  imprefiion  which  they 
wifhed  to  make,  to  the  fafcinaringcxpreffion  of  elegant 
movements.  This  indeed  was  wonderful,  and  hardly 
conceivable  by  any  who  have  not  feen  a  grand  ballet 
performed  by  good  aftors.  I  have  fhed  rears  of  the 
moft  fincere  and  tender  forrow  during  the  exhibition  of 
Antigone,  fet  to  mufic  by  Traetca,  and  performed  by 
Madame  Meilcour  and  S^^  Torelli,  and  Zantini.  I  can 
eafily  conceive  the  imprefiion  to  be  ftill  ftronger,  though 
perhaps  of  another  kind,  when  the  former  fuperb  drcf- 
fes  are  changed  for  the  expreffive  fimplicity  of  the 
Grecian.  I  cannot  help  thinking  that  the  female  orna- 
ments in  the  reft  of  Europe,  and  even  among  ourfelves, 
have  lefs  elegance  fmce  we  loft  the  fanftion  of  the 
French  court.  But  fee  how  all  this  will  terminate, 
when  we  fhall  have  brought  the  fex  lb  low,  and  will 
not  even  wait  for  a  Mahometan  paradife.  What  can 
we  expefb  but  fuch  adifiblutenefs  of  manners,  that  the 
endearing  ties  of  relation  and  family,  and  mutual  con- 
fidence within  doors,  will  be  flighted,  and  will  ceafc  ; 
and  every  man  muft  ftand  up  for  himfcif,  fmgle  and 
alone  ? 

F^cunda  culfd: Jacula  nwpt'ias 
Primum  inquinavere,  et  genus j  et  domos, 
Hocfonte  der'vvata  clades 

In -patriam ^ofulumqiie flux'it .     Hor.  iii.  6.  17. 

This  is  not  the  fuggeftion  of  prudifn  fear,  I  think  it  is 
the  natural  courfc  of  things,  and  that  France  is  at  this 
moment  giving  to  the  world  the  fulleft  proof  of 
WeiHiaupt's  fagacity,  and  the  judgment  with  vvhich  he 
has  formed  his  plans.  Can  it  tend  to  the  improvement 
of  our  morals  or  manners  to  have  our  ladies  frequent 
the  gymnaftic  theatres,  and  fee  them  decide,  like   the 

Roman 


192  THE  ILLUMINATl.  CHAP.   11'. 

Roman  matrons,  on  the  merits  of  a  naked  gladiator  or 
wreftlcr  ?  Have  we  not  enoDgh  of  this  already  with  our 
vaultcrs  and  pofture-maftcrs,  and  fhould  we  admire 
any  lady  who  had  a  rage  for  fuch  fpedlacles  ?  Will  it 
improve  our  taile  to  have  our  rooms  ornamented  with 
fuch  paintings  and  fculptures  as  filled  the  cenaculum, 
and  the  ftudy  of  the  icfined  and  elegant  moralift  Ho- 
race, who  had  the  art — ridendo  diiere  verum  ?  Shall 
we  be  improved  when  fuch  indulgences  arc  thought 
compatible  with  fuch  Icflbns  as  he  generally  gives  for 
the  condud:  of  life  ?  The  pure  Morality  of  Illumina- 
tifm  is  now  employed  in  ftripping  Italy  of  all  thofe  pre- 
cious remains  of  ancient  art  and  voluptuoufnefs  j  and 
Paris  will  ere  long  be  the  depofit  and  the  refort  of  ar- 
tifts  from  all  nations,  there  to  ftudy  the  works  of  an- 
cient mailers,  and  to  return  from  thence  panders  of 
public  corruption.  The  plan  is  mafterly,  and  the  low- 
born Statcfmen  and  Generals  of  France  may  in  this  ref- 
pedt  be  fct  on  a  level  with  a  Colbert  or  a  Conde.  But 
the  conlVquences  of  this  Gallic  dominion  over  the 
minds  of  fallen  man  will  be  as  dreadful  as  their  domi- 
nion over  their  lives  and  fortunes. 

RecolIe6l  in  what  manner  Spartacus  propofed  to 
corrupt  his  fifters  (for  we  need  not  fpeakof  the  manner 
in  which  he  expefted  that  this  would  promote  his  plan 
— this  is  abundantly  plain).  It  was  by  deftroying  their 
moral  fentiments,  and  their  fentiments  of  religion.  Re- 
collect what  is  the  recommendation  that  the  Atheift 
Minos  gives  of  his  llep-daughrers,  when  he  fpeaks  of 
them,  as  proper  perfons  for  the  Lodge  of  Sifters. 
"  They  have  got  over  all  prejudices,  and,  in  matters 
*'  of  religion  they  think  as  I  do."  Thefe  profligates 
judged  rightly  that  this  affair  required  much  caution, 
and  that  the  utmoft  attention  to  decency,  and  even  de- 
licacy, muft  be  obft-rved  in  their  rituals  and  ceremo- 
ilies,  otherwife  the  women  would   be   dijgiijled.     This 

was 


POSTSCRIPT.  2^9 

forward,  never  ceafes  to  enjoin  his  colleagues  to 
prefs  the  ftudy  of  natural  hilioi  y  and  colaiogony, 
and  carefully  to  bring  forward  every  fadl  which  v/as 
hoilile  to  the  Mofaic  accounts.  It  became  a  ferious 
part  of  the  exercifes  of  their  wealthy  pupils,  and 
their  perplexing  difcoveries  were  moft  oftentatioufly 
difplayed.  M.  de  Luc,  a  very  eminent  naturaliii, 
has  fhewn,  in  a  letter  to  the  Chevalier  Dr.  Zim- 
mermann,  (publiflied,  I  think,  about  the  year  1790,) 
how  very  fcanty  the  knowledge  of  chefe  obfervers 
has  been,  and  how  precipitate  have  been  their  con- 
clufions.  For  my  own  part,  I  think  the  affair  is 
of  little  confequence.  Mofes  writes  the  hiftory, 
not  of  this  globe,  but  of  the  race  of  Adam. 

The  fcience  of  thefe  philofophers  is  not  remark- 
able in  other  branches,  if  wc  except  M.  d'Alem- 
bert's  mathematics*.  Yet  the  impoiincr  confidence 
of  Voltaire  was  fuch,  that  he  paflcs  for  a  perfon 
fully  informed,  and  he  pronounces  on  every  fubic(^ 
with  fo  much  authority,  with  fuch  a  force  of  expref- 
fion,  and  generally  v^'ith  fo  much  wit  or  pleafanrry, 
that  his  hearers  and  readers  are  fafcinated,  and  loon 
convinced  of  what  they  wifh  to  be  true. 

It  is  not  by  the  wifdom  nor  by  the  profound 
knowledge   which  thefe  wq-itcrs  difplay,  that  they 

3  B  have 

•  Never  was  there  any  thing  more  contemptible  than  th« 
phyfical  and  mechanical  pofitions  in  Diderot's  great  work,  th» 
Sypeme  de  la  'Nature,  (Barruel  affirms,  that  he  was  the  author, 
and  got  100  piftoles  for  the  copy,  from  the  perfon  wlio  related 
the  ftory  to  him,)  that  long  ago  found  that  Diderot  had  afTifted 
Robinet  to  make  a  book  out  of  hi^  Mafonic  Oration,  which  I 
mentioned  in  page  41.  Robinet trufted  to  Diderot's  kao.vleJg* 
in  natural  philofophy.  Bat  the  Junto  were  afiiamed  of  the  book 
De  la  Nature.  Diderot  feems  to  have,  after  this,  read  Tir. 
Hartley's  book,  and  has  greatly  refined  on  the  crude  fyilem  of 
Robinet.  But  after  all,  the  Syfiune  de  la  Nature  is  contempiible, 
if  it  be  confidered  as  pretending  to  what  is  received  as  fcience. 
t»y  a  mechanical  philolopher. 


390  POSTSCRIPT. 

have  acquired  celebrity,  a  fame  which  has  been  fo 
pernicious.  It  is  by  fine  writing,  by  works  ad- 
drefled  to  the  imagination  and  to  the  affedlions, 
by  excellent  dramas,  by  afFedling  moral  efiays,  full 
of  expreffions  of  the  greatell  refp.cdl  for  virtue,  the 
moft  tender  benevolence,  and  the  higheft  fenti- 
ments  of  honour  and  dignity. — By  thcfe  means 
they  fafcinate  all  readers  -,  they  gain  the  efteem  of 
the  worthy,  who  imagine  them  fmcere,  and  their 
pernicious  doflrines  are  thus  fpread  abroad,  and 
ileal  into  the  minds  of  the  diflbiute,  the  licentious, 
and  the  unwary. 

But  I  am  writing  to  Britons,  who  are  confider- 
cd  by  our  neighbours  on  the  Continent  as  a  nation 
of  philofophers — to  the  countrymen  of  Bacon, 
of  Locke,  of  Newton — who  are  not  to  be  wheedled 
like  cliildren,  but  muft  be  reafoned  with  as  men. — 
Voltaire,  who  decides  vvithout  hefitacion  on  the  cha- 
rafterof  the  moftdiftant  nations  in  the  moft  remote 
antiquity,  did  not  know  us :  he  came  among  us, 
in  the  beginning  of  his  career,  with  the  higheft 
cxpejStations  of  our  fupport,  and  hoped  to  make  his 
fortune  by  his  Pucelle  d'Orleans.  It  was  rejected 
with  difdain — but  v/e  publifhed  his  Henriade  for 
him :  and,  notwithftanding  his  repeated  difappoint- 
ments  of  the  fame  kind,  he  durft  not  offend  his 
countrymen  by  flandering  us,  but  joined  in  the  pro- 
found refpecb  paid  by  all  to  Britifli  fcience. — Our 
writers,  whether  on  natural  or  moral  fcience,  are 
ftill  regarded  as  ftandard  claffics,  and  are  ftudied 
Vv'ith  care.  Lord  Verulam  is  acknowledged  by  eve- 
ry man  of  fcience  to  have  given  the  firft  juft  de- 
fcription  of  true  philofophy,  pointed  out  its  objefts, 
and  afcertained  its  mode  of  procedure — And  New- 
ton is  equally  allowed  to  have  evinced  the  propriety 
of  the  Baconian  precepts  by  his  unequalled  fuccefs. 


POSTSCRIPT.  391 

Jua  Mathefi  facem  preferente. — The  mofl:  celebrated 
philofophers  on  the  Continent  are  thofe  who  have 
completed  by  demonftration  the  wonderful  guelTcs 
of  his  penetrating  genius.  Bailli,  or  Condorcet, 
(I  forget  which,)  (truck  with  the  inconceivable 
reaches  of  Newton's  thoughts,  breaks  out,  in  the 
words  of  Lucretius, 

Tefequor^  0  magnic  getjth  decusy  mque  tuis  nunc 
Fixa  pedum  pom prejfis  vefi'igiafignis. 
Tu  pater  et  rerum  inventor,  tu  patria  nobis 
Suppeditas  precepta,  tuifque  ex  inclute  chartis^ 
Floriferls  ut  apes  tnfaltihus  omnia  libar.t. 
Omnia  nos  itidejn  depafciynur  aiirea  diSIa ; 
Aurea,  perpetud  ftmper  digniffima  vita. 

After  fuch  avov.'als  of  cur  capacity  to  inftruft 
ourfelves,  fliall  we  flill  fly  to  thofe  difturbers  of  the 
vforld  for  our  leffons  ?  No — Let  us  rally  round  our 
own  ftandards — let  us  take  the  path  pointed  out  by 
Bacon — let  us  follow  the  fceps  of  Newton — and,  to 
conclude,  let  us  ferioufly  confider  a  moft  excellent 
advice  by  the  higheft  authority  : 

*^  Beware  of  falfe  prophets,  who  come  to  you 
in  flieep's  cloathing,  but  inwardly  they  are  ra- 
vening   wolves BY     THEIR    FRUITS    YE    SHALL 

KNOW  THEM — Do  men  gather  grapes  of  thorns, 
"  or  figs  of  thiftles  ?" 


THE       END. 


cc 

cc 

(C 


To  the  Binder. 

*  2  B,  and  *  2  C,  are   to  be  placed  before  2  B, 
thcfe  pages  being  repeated. 


J^.^:. 


v^ 


™ 


